S 711 
.C3 
1920 
Copy 1 



THE TRACTOR 



Sellino^ it as aa 

Agricultural Implement 

O and Fitting it to the 

Ditferent Crop Areas 



Compiled and Published hy 

CAPPER FARM PRESS 

TopeKa, Kansas. 



./■ 





APR 1:^1920 



THE TRACTOR 



SELLING IT AS AN 



Agricultural Implement 



AND FITTING IT TO THE 



Midwest Crop Areas 



Fourth Edition : Revised and Enlarged 
1920 



Compiled and Published by 

CAPPIR FARM PRESS 

TOPEKA, KANSAS 



ARTHUR CAPPER, Publisher 

:>Iareo Morro^v, Assistant Publisher 

CHICAGO JTEVV YORK DETROIT ST. LOUIS 

Hayes Bldg. 501 Fifth Ave. Ford BIdgr. Chemical Bids;. 

J. C. Feeley, Ms**. Joseph Kunzinnnn. M&r. Ray H. Hnun, Mgr. C H. Eldredpe, Mgr, 

KANSAS CITY OMAHA OKLAHOMA CITY 

Graphic Arts BIdg. Famanr Hldj?. Famiera Nat'l Bank Bldg. 

R. AV. Mitchell, Mgr. W. M. Temple, Mgr. M. L,. Crowther, Mgr. 



5 



a> 



Copyright. 1920 

By Arthur Capper 

Topeka. Kansas 



©C1A568091 



iPR h-l*^^o 



-To* / 



ANNOUNCEMENT 

While the contents of this book are copyrighted, it is the 
desire of The Capper Farm Press to have it used as a con- 
tribution to national service in Power Farming. Therefore, 
any individual or publication is at liberty to use extracts from 
this volume, provided that due credit is given'to The Capper 
Farm Press. 



Table of Contents 



Introduction — Page 5. 

Foreword — Page 6. 

Chapter 1 — The Reason Wliy of the Tractor — pp. 7-8 inclusive. 

Chapter 2 — The Tractor Belt Defined — -pp. 9-15 inclusive. 

Chapter 3 — Which Power: Horse or Tractor? — pp. 16-21 inclusive. 

Chapter i — The Status of the Tractor — pp. 22-25 inclusive. 

Chapter 5 — The Tractor Market — pp. 26-33 inclusive. 

Chapter 6 — Tractor Facts — pp. 34-37 inclusive. 

Chapter 7 — ^State Stapdardization — Page 38. 

Chapter 8 — Tractor Repair Service — pp. 39-41 inclusive. 

Chapter 9 — ilore Tractor Facts — pp. 42-46 inclusive. 

Chapter 10 — Tractor Advertising — Page 47. 

Conclusion — Page 48. 

Appendix — pp. 49-52 inclusive. 

Bibliographies — pp. 53-58 inclusive. 

Indices — pp. 59-61 inclusive. 



INTRODUCTION 

This present text is issued in response to the constant de- 
mand for our former book entitled "Tractor Analysis." Im- 
portant new data has made necessary a thoro rewriting of the 
first, second and third editions. This edition is, therefore, a com- 
pletely new treatise and, like the others, seeks to set forth the 
value of power farming as the most important economic factor 
in the development and maintenance of profitable crop produc- 
tion in the great grain and livestock belt of the Middle West. 

The compiling of this analysis has been the work of both the 
editorial and advertising staffs of The Capper Farm Press. 
In addition, various leaders in agriculture and several technical 
tractor authorities have lent their assistance. All told, some 
sixty men have been responsible for the facts set forth herein. 

But this is not all. Theory has been proved by practice. To 
do this, some 12,000 farms were visited during the past five 
years by the compilers and distributors of this volume. During 
that time no less than 100,000 reports from individual farmers 
— both owners and non-owners of tractors — have been anah'zed 
and their information utilized. From these various sources 
has been gained the ample and authoritative information that 
forms the basis for this brief exposition. 



Acknowledgments 



Special acknowledgment for specific help and contributions 
must be made to the agricultural colleges and experiment sta- 
tions especially of Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Missouri ; 
to the United States Weather Bureau and to the United States 
Department of Agriculture. Material and information compiled 
from various reference books and other sources will find their 
acknowledgment either in the text or in the appended bibli- 
ography. 



FOREWORD 



The Ideal Tractor — a Definition 

"A tractor void of unnecessaiy weight and proportions, 
calling for high quality material and facilitating proper hous- 
ing ; built compactly, but not complicated, requiring neat and 
systematic assembly of parts ; having equal facility for use with 
draw bar or belt ; provided with positive drive, making for high 
tractive effort yet prohibiting dangerous leverages; giving ease 
and simplicity of control, adjustment and replacement of re- 
pairs ; having wearing parts of standard interchangeable make ; 
being free from excessive vibrations; provided with facility 
for cleaning intake air; adapted to use kerosene or other low 
grade fuel ; and lending safety to the operator who in turn will 
have a clear view ahead." 



H. H. Fenton, 

Industrialist Specialist, 

Kansas State Agricultural College, 

Manhattan, 

Kansas. 



THE TRACTOR 



CHAPTER I 



The Reason Why of the Tractor 



Not Only True But Interesting 

Although the tractor is a comparatively new tool 
in the history of American Ajiriculture, its litera- 
ture is already a large oue. And more volumes 
might yet be written concerning it, not necessarily 
scientific and highly technical but books that would 
capture the interest of any reader. There would 
be the story of that pluck and initiative which 
makes possible the coming of any great innovation. 
The epic of the wheat and the corn in all its ro- 
mance would be set forth were space available. 
But behind the impersonal tabulations of figures 
and data, the color and the flash of high romance 
is lurking, and those who know it may read be- 
tween the lines. 

A New Era Begins 

Any history of the evolution of agriculture must 
recognize that all advancement in crop methods 
from the very beginning has been an adaptive 
process. Thus the tractor, in its revolutionizing of 
present-day agricultural procedure, is but one more 
step in that process toward perfection which dates 
its progress upward from the sharpened stick of 
the barbarian farmer to his power-equipped 
descendant of this present age. Like all other im- 
provements of its kind, it was the need of in- 
creased production that provided the cliief incen- 
tive for the development of tractor farming. After 
tlie repudiation, through the sad experience of fail- 
ure, of those small-farm, eastern methods that the 
first western agriculturalists had brought to their 
own holdings in the Middle West, rural leaders as 
far back as the 80 's saw the necessity of reforma- 
tion. Although improved machinery to some ex- 
tent had come into use, there was still being con- 
tinued many mistaken notions of crop procedure. 
Although grain farming was even then the prin- 
cipal occupation of the people there was by no 
means enough livestock fattening and dairying 
carried on 

A Change for the Better 

But the reformation asserted itself with relative 
swiftness. The Howard Act (1887) enabled each 
state, thru the establishment of an experiment sta- 
tion, to work out its peculiar and individual agri- 
cultural problems. The second Morrill Bill (1890) 
still further extended the usefulness and influence 
of the state agricultural colleges. These new ten- 
dencies in western agriculture were given definite 
stability and recognition in 1897 when, under the 
leadership of James Wilson, Secretary of Agricul- 



ture, was inaugurated that "unit system" super- 
vision which gave material backing to the various 
state policies of agricultural advancement. This 
was the beginning of what is now the definite 
"unit-supervision" of the department. So-called 
safe farming within the limits of definitely oriented 
crop areas is now the recognized practice. The 
principle of correct farm-procedure as recognized 
today, not only in the Middle West but thruout 
the nation, is tiiat principle which seeks to recog- 
nize the peculiai- ada])tability of certain crops to 
certain iieculiar climatic and soil conditions. 



New Crops 



Without going into the history of those changes 
which have brought new crops into the Middle 
West, crops which range from new breeds of wheat 
and the various grain sorghums and legumes, it 
should be stated that the tractor has taken its place 
as the inevitable concomitant of these newly created 
farming conditions. 

The introduction of various new crops, each 
suited to its own peculiar locality, was the direct 
answer to the cry for increased production. This 
sort of production meant new methods ; it involved 
the breaking of virgin areas. The exploitation of 
new farming districts with those extensive methods 
of crop cultivation which had always been their 
ideal, even in the half-attained practice of Middle 
Western agricultural states, meant the casting 
about for more efficient agricultural implements. 
While the horse hitherto had been a most efficient 
power-unit to the extent of his very definite limita- 
tions, there was felt the need of some new motive 
power that would complement that farm power 
machinery already in extensive use thruout the 
wheat and corn belt. 

The Gas Engine 

The adoption of the gas engine with its relative 
cheapness, its durability, flexibility and low cost 
both original and of maintenance, pointed the way 
to the solution of this new problem. The exten- 
sive exploitation of new fuel fields provided a still 
greater incentive. The tractor, and particularly 
the gas engine tractor, including both the gasoline 
and kerosene types, was fhe logical result. It should 
be explained that this volume does not attempt to 
deal extensively with the steam tractor, which, al- 
though it has played a commendable part in the first 
era of power farming, is, by its very size and com- 
paratively high cost, almost eliminated from con- 
sideration in comparison with its cheaper and just 
as efficient cousin, the gas engine tractor. 




ILLUSTRATION 1 



The Age of Machinery 

It should be said in passing, as an interesting 
side light, that there is an almost exact ratio of 
growth between the increase in farm wealth and 
the increase in the use of farm machinery. Farm 
wealth increased from less than 4 billion dollars 
in 1850 to more than 20 billion dollars in 1900. In 
the last nineteen years it has leaped to 65 billion 
dollars — more than fifteen times as much as it 
was sixty-nine years ago, and more than three times 
as much as it was twenty years ago. This remark- 
able increase which totals today 65 billion dollars 
is matched by the 350 million dollars or more of 
farm machinery now manufactured yearly. This 
rapid increase in farm wealth not only furnislied 
the cash with which to undertake experimentation 
rnd with which to buy the results of these experi- 
ments but it also indicated how rapidly productive 



methods had gone forward and how closely farm 
wealth can be measured in terms of those agricul- 
tural methods and implements — of which the trac- 
tor is inevitably important — which make for in- 
creased production. Ten years ago may be set as 
that period which saw the beginning of tractor 
farming and particularly the use of the gas engine 
tractor. 

Conchision 

But before passing to a description of the tractor 
and its application to modern farming methods, it 
may be perhaps more logical to define definitely 
in the next chapter the limits of tractor farming 
and something of the peculiar climatic, geograph- 
ical and physical conditions which make the Mid- 
dle West the ideal tractor market. 




^ NA5 TAI/5 



72.08% OF 
^AIL PA/^MS IN 
^CAPPFT^ STATES ARB 
OVER lOOACRBS 



-% //Avi^r///s 



\50.81%9FALiS 

\farms-otne/i\ 
^z)z states 

JOOACRBS ' 








/ >^ V VI ,^ 







lilt- iialriirnl liiinie of the traeto 



CHAPTER II 



The Tractor Belt Defined 



The Middle West 

Roughly speaking, the tractor belt includes those 
vast areas of alluvial prairie land that lie on each 
side of the Mississippi River between the Appa- 
lachian Mountains to the east and the Rocky Moun- 
tains to the west. It is an area given over almost 
entirely to various kinds of grain crops, particularly 
wheat and corn, but not excluding by any manner 
of means, such other crops as cotton and hay and 
the various legumes that extensively enter into the 
agricultural wealth of this section. Neither does 
this delimitation lose sight of the fact that there 
are other parts of the country in which the tractor 
can be and is profitably u.sed. But this volume is 
mostly concerned with the so-called great plains 
region. 

Tractor Farms 

Thru successive causes, not necessary to dis- 
cuss here, 160 acres has become the average size 
of farms in this region. Plotting the limits of the 
tractor area in slightly more precise terms, we 
may say that the line where 160-acre farms begin 
starts from Duluth, runs to Minneapolis and then 
bears off southwest, passing St. Louis and pene- 
trating the eastern parts of Oklahoma and Texas. 
West of this line, and including those upland 



plains of the eastern Rocky Mountains, now just 
developing to dry farming, constitutes the natural 
tractor belt and includes that territory where the 
horse, as an efficient power unit, approaches the 
limits of his efficiency. The other north and south 
line will start almost at the center of Ohio and 
progress southward following the junctures of the 
Appalachian foothills with the prairies, taking 
into account, however, much level valley "trac- 
tor" land along the upper hill reaches of those 
larger eastern tributaries of the Mississippi. 



Another Boundary 



Within this same area there may be still made 
another boundary — that western line which marks 
the limit of heavy crop production. In other 
words included within the whole we may find a 
pretty definitely defined area which we may 
characterize without paradox as the area of "in- 
tensive extensiveness" where the emphasis is al- 
most entirely put upon the two principal crops of 
wheat and corn, with an included sub-division, in 
each instance, of spring and winter wheat, and 
maize and the various grain sorghums. Such a 
line follows the western boundary of Nebraska and 
Kansas and runs thru the Texas Panhandle clear to 
the Gulf. This limitation has an added signifi- 



RAINFALL BY M0NTH5 OF VARIOUS 

<5[CTI0NS J.te 




In the Mid-West the bulk of 



affordf* the beat 



Hence, plowlnfir must be done quickly. The tractor 
npid ploiving: 



cance when we consider that its western boundaries 
are those first set by the horse and within which, 
quite naturally, since the process of crop produc- 
tion was already highly developed, the tractor 
finds its first field of exploitation. But, as has 
been previously intimated, beyond this western 
boundary lie endless acres, hitherto unfitted to 
previous methods of crop cultivation, which now 
depend upon the horse as the power unit. We may 
say, therefore, that the extent of tractor poten- 
tiality as an instrument of increased productive- 
ness is limited only by the readiness and financial 
ability of those present-daj' pioneer farmers to 
push out into the semi-arid regions and, applying 
the new technique of dry farming, plus the tractor, 
open up a new empire dominated by the same kind 
of crops now extensively cultivated farther to the 
east. 



Crops Grown 



The tractor belt today produces 70 per cent of 
the cereal crops of the United States. In the 
North spring wheat and oats are successively cul- 
tivated. Farther down we enter the corn belt, 
producing two-thirds of the nation's crop. Then 
come Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma, the hard 
wheat and alfalfa belt, with an extensive overlap 
of the grain sorghums. The grain sorghums are 
even now in the Southwest assuming equal im- 
portance with corn as one of the principal crops, 
already occupying in the schedule of southwestern 
livestock feeders the same place which the com- 
bined clover and corn crops bear to the feed 



schedule of more northern sections. In addition, 
in a fairly circumscribed area of the Southwest, 
cotton assumes the principal role as a crop of 
■'tractor importance." 

It has been estimated by the Farm Implement 
News of Chicago, as well as by other authorities, 
that fully 65 per cent of all tractors in use in the 
entire country are owned in the region described. 
The immediate corollary of this fact is found in 
those statistics which reveal that on three-fifths 
of the farms of 175 acres — numbering 1,153.000 in 
this region — are found approximately 35,000 to 
50,000 tractors. These facts will be later dis- 
cussed in the estimate of the potential market for 
tractors but are given here to substantiate still 
further the fact that the Middle West is the tractor 
country and the tractor market, par excellence. 

Climatic Influences 

Reference has already been made to the fact 
that the tractor will extend the possibilities of dry 
farming in those relatively undeveloped regions 
immediatel.v to the east of the foothills of the 
Rocky Mountains, an area estimated at 350 mil- 
lions of acres. But in the already established 
grain belt the tractor has a peculiar place, es- 
pecially as we go toward the Southwest. In this 
region the dominant factors of a moderate rainfall 
and excessive sunshine, plus a relatively high 
wind velocity, have produced peculiar local con- 
ditions that heretofore have frequently proved 
too much for those methods of cultivation which 
depended upon the horse. For instance, while 



n 



plowed 








k to 'j in a week, il in a week. 2^ in a week 

Moisture Exhausted 



:iiid .seasonably iii:iikf 
picte turn-under of 



riservatioii and the 



there is not very much difference in the rainfali 
of McPherson, Kansas, and Kokomo, Indiana, 
there is a difference, 25 to 40 per cent greater, in 
Kansas and Iowa than in Indiana. It is this ele- 
ment of high winds and continuous sunshine that 
produces almost immediate evaporation. The 
rainfall itself would be sufficient if proper meth- 
ods of moisture conservation could be introduced. 
Proper moisture conservation, in reference to the 
peculiar crops produced, means deep plowing in 
mid-summer, early plowing in the other seasons 
and extensive cultivation. This is not possible, 
however, thruout much of the region because of 
the fact that liorse-drawn implements are not fast 
enough, nor the animal itself enduring enough, 
coupled with the shortage of farm labor, to do the 
necessary amount of work within the limits of a 
very definite period when weather conditions are 
the fittest. Dominating all this, is the fact that 
the horse, already exhausted with the heat of the 
harvest and the long drawn-out spring work, is 
in no condition to undertake the even more ardu- 
ous labor of next season's crop preparation. 



The Reason Why 



This brief analysis explains in a nutshell why 
the tractor, an unfeeling machine, almost com- 
pletely unhindered by any sort of weather condi- 
tions, is more economical in its application of 
power and cheaper in its fuel consumption for the 
production of power. Solely as an implement of 
plowing and cultivation it makes for greater mois- 
ture conservation, more extensive and intensive 
methods of crop cultivation and subsequently for 
a greater production. This production may be 
variously estimated as from 25-50 per cent greater 
in comparison with the same results produced by 
horse power farming. 

These facts may be briefly illustrated by the 



statement of J. C. Mohler, Secretary of the State 
Board of Agriculture of Kansas, who says, "in 
1914, the first year of the war, Kansas planted 20 
million acres to crops ; in 1918, the last year of 
the war, nearly 21,250,000 acres. As the farmers 
had less help in 1918 than in 1914 it is logical to 
conclude that they were able to devote larger 
acreages to crops thru the more extensive em- 
ployment of labor- and time-saving machinery, 
such as the tractor. Hence, this increase in acre- 
age is partly attributable to the tractor, at least. 
In 1914 there were less than 2,500 tractors in use 
in Kansas ; now there are approximately 9,000. ' ' 

Practical Proof 

These facts find an interesting confirmation in 
the results announced by The Farmer in a recent 
extensive tractor investigation, where we find for 
the states of Minnesota, North and South Dakota 
that over 48 per cent of the total of 408 tractor- 
farmers reporting, maintain that the tractor inso- 
far as it concerns application of these scientific 
principles of crop procedure, more than justifies 
its preference over horse labor. What is true for 
Kansas and for th«se three northern states is 
equally true farther to the south. For instance, in 
()klalioma, as determined by the Oklahoma Experi- 
ment Station, the average yield on wheat lands 
plowed by the old and by new seasonal methods, 
show a maximum difference of over 15 bushels to 
the acre and with an average difference of over 
five bushels to the a'cre. It has been estimated 
tliat if it were possible to control the soil moisture 
tliere, so that none might escape thru the plants, a 
rainfall of ten inches would be ordinarily sufficient 
to produce a fifty bu.shel yield of corn. Soil prep- 
;ii-atioii that would insure getting tlie moisture into 
the soil is an important consideration. An ideal 
seed bed for a good corn crop in these regions is one 



PbOWFD JUL. lb" 7IN. 

3 K- ?t 



LISTED JUL. IS' if IM. vvoRKeD nowM 



LISTED JUL lb" triN-RlDOes SPLIT flL 

PLOWED Jul. lb" 3I1M., 
DOUBLE DISKED JUL. rb' PUOl/VGO HuG.lt." TIN, 

PLOWED nue lb' TIN 



PLOweo Hug lb '7ii\i NOT Wormed uNno setiyi'j 



DOUBLE DIblxEO JUL 

PLOweo sep lb TIM 



PLOWED SEP lb" TIN_ 

PLOWED A'i^'-^'^ii 

bEP lb 

3 IN 




with a loose, coarse surface and a subsoil with a 
moisture to a deptli of several feet. Deep plowing 
in the fall or very early in the spring for this par- 
ticular crop is the only method that will allow most 
of the moisture to penetrate and the soil to settle 
before planting time. Such methods can be at- 
tained efficiently and economically only by the 
use of the tractor. 

The Big Problem 

Thus, it will be seen that the big problem that 
the Middle Western farmer combats is not a short- 
age of rainfall but the quick evaporation of a vei-y 
adequate rainfall. In general, the rainfall of the 
Middle West is seasonably well-timed, but owing 
to a high wind velocity and extensive sunshine, the 
the land quickly becomes, at least in some places, 
almost semi-arid. During an average midsummer 
week plowed ground in the Middle West loses 
moisture equivalent to one-fourth to one-half of its 
rainfall. Bare land and land bearing weeds lose 
even more. While the cultivation of land has in it- 
self no effect upon increasing or decreasing the 
Mid-Western average rainfall of approximately 30 
inches a year, it has wholly the desired effect in 
conserving this moisture, as already explained. The 
proper breaking up of the land to prepare it to re- 
ceive and retain rain is, therefore, the primary re- 
quisite of all crop procedure in this region. Men- 



tion has already been made of deep plowing experi- 
ments in Oklahoma. Still further investigations 
have shown that land plowed in Stillwater, Okla- 
homa, on July 28, had in it at seeding time 16.5 
per cent moisture ; tliat which was not plowed until 
September 1st had only 9.5 per cent moisture, in- 
sufficient to germinate the seed sown on September 
16th. 

Winter Wheat 

Let us consider winter wheat for a moment and 
see how it reacts to deep-plowing by tlie tractor 
under tlie pecidiar climatic conditions and soil con- 
ditions already spoken of. Spring wlieat is not ex- 
tensively considered in this discussion since the 
principles of tractor farming in its cultivation have 
been practiced longer than is the case with winter 
wheat and because the exploitation of spring wheat 
methods have been more widely diffused thruout 
the country. For many years the state experiment 
stations of Oklahoma. Kansas, Nebraska and others 
have been pidilishing the results of experiments to 
sliow the proper methods of hard wlicat prodiiction. 
Briefly siimmarized, we know that tlie best yield of 
winter wheat can be produced by plowing early in 
July. Tlie reason for this early plowing, as has 
been explained, is solely for the purpose of mois- 
ture conservation. Experiments have shown that 
wheat planted in time, on ground prepared by 



HOW DIFFERENT METHODS OF PLOWING AFFECT WINTER WHEAT YIELD 

These eleven tests were made by the Kansas State Agricultural College at Manhattan, Kan., on adjoining plots 
of land. The only difference in the treatment of the different plots was in the plowing. The same kind of seed 
was planted in the same way on the same date — September 29th. The variation in the yield, therefore, was due to 
the different plowing methods employed. This table should be studied with Chart 5, on the preceding page. 


Methods of Preparation — 


Yield per Acre | Cost per Acre Preparation 


1 %of 
% of Increased 
Bushels Increase | Cost | Cost 


1. Disked, not plowed 


4.29 


$1.95 




2. Plowed September 5, three inches deep 


14.4G 1 237 


3.05 1 56 


3. Plowed September 15. seven inches deep 


15.79 1 268 


3.55 


82 


4. Double disked July 15 ; plowed September 15, seven 
inches deep 


23.57 1 449 4.35 


123 


5. Plowed August 15, seven inches deep ; not worked 


1 1 
23.62 1 451 1 3.55 


82 






27.74 1 547 


3.90 


100 




7. Double disked July 15, plowed August 15, seven 


32.08 1 662 4.70 


141 






33.46 1 6S0 


4.45 


128 




9. Listed July 15, five inches deep. Ridges split August 15 . 


34.35 1 701 


3.75 


92 




35.07 715 


3.70 


90 






1 1 
38.36 1 794 | 4.95 


154 






1 



early plowing inereased in yield from 30 to 40 per 
cent. The amount of seed sown to produce this re- 
sult also varies according to the time and prepara- 
tion of the seed bed. For example : Two bushels 
of Turkey Red planted on September 25 go as far 
as four and one-half planted on October 15 or 
eight bushels planted on November 15. 

Plowing 

It should be remembered that plowing is the most 
costly of crop operations and that the cost of plow- 
ing increases in direct proportion to the depth 
plowed whether the power employed be horse or 
tractor. But it is still further to be remembered 
that deep plowing is relatively cheaper, in propor- 
tion to the speed and time, with the tractor than 
with the horse. The average maximum depth ac- 
cording to the best authorities is approximately 
seven inches, — the ideal tractor-drawbar penetra- 
tion. Furthermore, this is a depth which as found 
by experiment accomplishes in the soil turnover 
both the incorporation of all former crop residues 
and, in addition, effectually cleans the surface for 
the subsequent tillage and seeding. There has been 
a tendency on the part of some tractor enthusiasts 
because of the great reserve power to be obtained — 
to advocate even deeper plowing. Official bulletins 
from the Dry Land Farming of United States De- 
partment of Agriculture report that deeper tillage 
than this in some ten states in the Middle West o 
does not pay. The necessity for deeper plowing,,; I 
can be overcome without a reduction in crop yield •6^1 



by practicing a rotation of crops. But a rotation 
of crops requires a flexibility in the unit of farm 
power. This flexibility can be best obtained by the 
use of the tractor. 

But as has been so often emphasized only the most 
general principles are cited here and in all instances 
the highly variable factors of local soil and climatic 
conditions must govern all plowing procedures and 
crop rotations. The point to understand is this: 
with the present scarcity and high cost of farm 
labor, combined with the need for deep and ex- 
tensive plowing the tractor, in comparison with 
the horse, costs less, accomplishes more, and con- 
sequently, both quantitatively and qualitatively, 
yields a maximum of production. 

Limitations of the Horse 

Such is the ideal procedure for the production 
of bumper winter-wheat crops. But such a pro- 
cedure is barely possible with the horse as the power 
unit. To illustrate: the horses have just finished 
harvesting the wheat, and almost immediately the 
corn, kafir, cotton and other crops need cultiva- 
tion. Hay time is next on the program. And all 
the while the horse has been hard at work under 
terrific heat conditions to which he is in no wise 
acclimated. Plowing of a necessity is put off, 
sowing is delayed and when it is done, the seed is 
put into a soil already half-depleted of the precious 
moisture content. The factor of weeds allowed to 
grow, because of lack of time to eradicate also 

• enters. The result is only half or three-fourths of 

"'a crop and sometimes not even that. 



WHEAT 

Yields under 
different treatment 



17,7 



Disked at 

needing 
Plowed Deep 

in Seplember 
Plowed Shallow 

in July 
Plowed, Deep 

In July 



Nilrales al 6eedinq Time 

pounds 1o 3 feel of 6oil 

_£C^_RLQ.iZ'3UQIJ_- _ £PJ>1 _of_ £ic_re 




22.3 



16Q 



4.37 



GROWTH OF PLANT FOOD 



Increased by Deep and Early Plowing Which Is 
Practical Only With a Tractor 



Corn 

Wliat is true of wheat crop procedure is also 
true of corn. Deep plowing early in the fall or 
medium deep plowing in the spring has peculiar 
application to eoi-n culture. Corn should be 
planted early in order to produce the necessary 
crop, because early-planted corn ripens first and 
usually produces an earlier and better yield. 
Baj'ly-planted corn because of its slow, tough 
growth is not so susceptible to drouth as corn 
planted later. In addition, such corn derives more 
benefit from the conserved winter and spring 
moisture supply, has a better rootage before the 
advent of summer drouths and consequently 
stands a larger chance of maturing when these 
conditions materialize. All told, the chief essen- 
tials of crop production are heat, soil fertility, 
tested seed, sufficient water and adequate culti- 
vation methods — of the first three of these factors 
the Middle West has an abundance. Water it has, 
too, but only in terms of a proper method of 
moisture conservation. By controlling evapora- 
tion the success of the corn crop is more nearly as- 
sured and the corn is successfully carried through 
the ear-forming period to a future of early and 
full maturity. 

The tractor is the fulfillment of these condi- 
tions. It can prepare the ideal root bed that is de- 
manded by corn in these regions as the horse can- 
not economically do, because it can do it more 
quickly and thoroly. Time is the important fac- 
tor where there are larger acreages. As the plow- 
ing must be done at a certain time to obtain maxi- 
mum results, the tractor is capable not only of 
plowing deep at a high rate of speed as compared 



with the horse, but with the use of a minimum 
amount of farm labor. 

Grain Sorghums 

What has been said of corn and wheat applies 
largely to the various grain sorghums. These 
crops combine many of the good qualities of both 
corn and clover. They make excellent forage and 
the grains themselves have high feeding values. 
Rut their peculiar virtue lies in their adaptability 
to the general semi-arid conditions found in the 
extreme Western and Southwestern part of the 
so-called tractor belt. 

Hitherto, because of the very natural adapta- 
bility of this crop to the territory, farmers have 
frequently become careless as to their methods of 
crop cultivation. The very hardiness of the crop 
itself and the fact that it will yield the maximum 
return with a minimum of effort, has tended to 
make many farmers neglect proper tillage meth- 
ods. But no other crop will respond more quickly 
and valiantly when planted and cultivated as it 
should be done than the grain sorghums. Its 
present acreage of over six million acres — almost 
half of the wheat acreage of Kansas, in itself 
a typical grain state — can be greatly increased 
and made to yield in a corresponding ratio 
under the influence of tractor cultivation. Wliat 
has been said concerning corn and the applica- 
tion of early and deep plowing, coupled with 
prompt planting and early and extensive cultiva- 
tion, will make not only for a heightened resist- 
ance to drouth conditions but an increased yield 
greatly in excess of that usually attained. 




RRMN 50RGHliM BELT 



iiportant corn crops oC llii* Soutli^vest 
turnl belt for this crop Is west of iiiei 



Other Results 

Erratic and variant liarvests, ranging from 
"middling" success to absolute failure are the 
inevitable results as long as "horse" methods are 
followed. There has not been room to discuss all 
the advantages of deep plowing yet there are some 
others that may be mentioned at this point. The 
farmer wages a continuous battle against weeds 
and insect pests. In those fields where early 
plowing, deep and varied, had been carried on the 
root penetration of weeds is entirely discouraged. 
By the same token fall plowing by tractors, im- 
possible with worn-out and exhausted horses, ef- 
fectively turns under those weed crops still un- 



touched. Insect pests are also ei'adicated. In- 
sects not allowed to hibernate and live thru the 
winter produce no insects in the spring. Deep 
plowing, discing and dragging all serve to kill 
those insects that burrow just beneath the ground 
or penetrate to the frost line. All the various 
pupae are easily destroyed. The list includes 
grasshoppers, cut-worms, corn-ear worms, boll 
weevils of the cotton plant and numerous other 
crop pests that hibernate beneath the ground dur- 
ing the winter. In addition, to be reiterated again 
and again, such seasonal plowing conserves mois- 
ture and thus attains the ultimate ends of all Mid- 
Western farming methods. 




2.669.905 FARMBR3 IN TflEr 
C/^PPBR 3TATB3 
UAVE T/Y/3 TO GLry v^rr/f 



J, €91, 380 F'A /?Af£/iS 

OTIJE-R STATES 



16 

CAPPER. STATES^ 

^^12,308,355, OOO 



3Z 
Or//.eR STATES 

3. 691, 3>80 FARMPASi 
^i^\$I/, 2 79, 059. OOOy 





COM 


PAR 


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9 


CHART 10 


:hart 


Dl^iRlon of horso lal>or 


in actual oractioe on a farm 


niviMion of horse labor a» it should be dLstrlbnted to 


«'here the prodi 


rtion Is 


largely wheat 


secure maximum results 



CHAPTER III 

Which Power: Horse or Tractor? 



The Horse Versus the Tractor 

The farm tractor has displaced, on an average, 
one-fourth the number of horses used on Kansas 
and Illinois farms before the tractor was bought. 
But the tractor can supplant the horse for heavy 
work on the farm only when the farmer ceases to 
think of work in terms of horses and begins to 
think of it in terms of engines. Just as the horse 
power in the past supplanted man power and the 
hoe, so tractor power will supplant the horse and 
will be computed on lines of thought quite as 
radically different. It took man many ages to 
realize that by using horse-drawn machines, he 
could greatly increase his agricultural efficiency. 
He thought too long in man terms. Today few 
men realize the extent to which the tractor can 
take the place of the horse and do many things 
the horse cannot so profitably do. It is replacing 
the horse for the same reason that the horse re- 
placed the man and the hoe. 

Cost of Horse Versus Tractor. 

Within the last few years many sets of figures 
have been published to prove that tractor farming 
is cheaper than horse farming. And there has also 
been published much matter to prove the reverse. 
Most of these figures are based upon what each 
type of power can do and not what they actually 
do accomplish. On account of the ability of the 
tractor to maintain hour after hour its full ca- 



pacity in continuous drawbar labor, it has an 
added advantage over the horse or mule. It has 
been found by actual test that the best plowing 
is accomplished when the speed ranges from 2^/4 
to 2l>4 miles an hour. Plowing turns under all 
stubble, weeds, grass and fertilizer, and pulverizes 
the ground. Up to a certain speed the faster a 
plow travels thru the ground the better it breaks 
up. The average team, while it will walk fast 
enough for a time, cannot keep up the pace all day 
that is necessary to do the best plowing. 

Horses Not At Home. 

All sentiment aside it should be clearly recog- 
nized that the horse in the wheat and corn belt is 
merely an incomplete power unit. He has never 
been fully acclimated in this Middle Western area 
of hot summers and freezing blizzards. The wild 
horse that ranged the western prairies years ago 
moved north and south with the seasons. Our pres- 
ent-day horses turned loose to shift for themselves 
would like their ancestors spend their summers in 
the north and winters in the south. Further than 
this the horse is not as efficient in the West as in 
the more eastern states; yet the demands upon 
him are much greater. The frequency of heavy 
rain storms during the summer, and the erratic 
weather changes that take place without warning 
during the period from spring to .summer, has de- 
manded a farm power unit that is much more flex- 
ible and more enduring than the horse can pos- 




sibly be. It is the ability of the tractor to do heavy 
work quickly — plowing, seeding, discing and har- 
rowing — under all conditions of wind and weather 
that lias made it the logical unit of farm power and 
has enabled it to surpass the horse. 

Horse Figures. 

Yet there are those who thru sentiment or ob- 
stinacy refuse to recognize the limitations of the 
horse. Let us consider definitely what he can 
actually do. Various experimenters, including 
Troutwine, King, Sanborn and others, have defi- 
nitely established that in a full working day of 
fourteen hours a horse exerts a pull on its traces 
equal to 1-10 to 1-8 of his weight. Under emergency 
conditions and for a short time only this can be in- 
creased to 1-2 of his weight. In order to produce 
the largest day's work, the maximum speed at which 
a horse can travel is 1 3-4 to 2 3-4 miles per hour. 
Furthermore, in the chapter on the subject in 
Bulletin 73, Bureau of Statistics, Department of 
Agriculture, it has been definitely established that 
from April to November, the active months on the 
farm, tests upon 135 horses, established that the 
average of actual work was 4.33 hours each week 
day, or a grand total of 906 hours for the season. 
For the four inactive winter months, comprising 
104 working days, the average was seventy-seven 
hundredths hours per day. These figures can be 
more definitely grasped in the table of compari- 
sons between the relative power of horse and trac- 
tors. Any computation of a horse's power must 
also consider his relative cost of maintenance com- 
pared with the cost of gas and kerosene fuel for a 
tractor necessary to produce the same ratio of work. 
And it is interesting to note in this connection, as a 
glance at the feeding costs table on page 21 will 
demonstrate, that the cost of extra or increased 
power on the part of the horse is relatively higher 
in terms of greater food consumption ("horse en- 
gine fuel") than is the same result when accomp- 
lished by the tractor. The measure for mechanical 
power still remains that fixed by Watt : the ability 
to raise a pound thirt.v-one feet in one minute. Fig- 
uring on this basis, a 1,500 pound horse, traveling 
2 miles per hour and pulling one-tenth of his 
weight, will develop exactly four-fifths of a me- 
chanical horse power. If he travels 21/. miles an 
hour, which is unusual, he will develop one me- 
chanical horse power. The average farm horse 



weighs much less than 1,500 pounds, and will, 
w'hile working continuously, develoj) from two- 
thirds to four-fifths of a horsepower. Even a cur- 
sory comparison of these figures with the work 
accomplished by a tractor under similar conditions 
will establish the greater efficiency of the latter. 



-Tractor One- 



Horse One-Tenth- 
Third. 

All sentiment again put aside, the fact remains 
that the tractor today affords the most efficient 
way of obtaining mechanical horse power for any 
sort of drawbar work. An 8-16 tractor traveling 
at the rate of 2 miles per hour, will develop at 
least 8 meclianical horse power. It can perform 
this amount of work continuously hour after hour. 
A pull of 1,500 pounds is equivalent to practically 
one-third the weight of the tractor. There you 
have it. The horse pulls about one-tenth of his 
weight, and the tractor about one-third of its 
weight. 

Some Pertinent Figures. 

There has been a large number of figures com- 
piled on the relative costs, cost of operation, rela- 
tive efficiency of horse and tractor labor in all 
crop and other farm operations. These figures have 
been gathered from a variety of sources and cover 
a number of different localities. 

The United States census report, 1910, in analyz- 
ing the crop capacity of the average Middle Western 
farm presented the following table of crop allot- 
ments : 

30 acres of oats and wheat. 

50 aci'es of corn. 

20 acres of hay. 

60 acres to include pasture, orchard, rough 
land, building and feed lots. 

It is estimated that such a farm, representing 
the average small farm of the tractor belt, would 
require for its successful working six horses or 
mules and one colt. 

How It Works Out. 

Farm Power, taking these figures and work- 
ing them out in connection with certain figures of 
work done per day as taken from consolidated re- 
ports submitted by various central states farmers, 
arrives at the following: 



17 




Ho^v decp' tract 



CHART 12 



50 Acres of Com Land. 

Plowing — 4 horses, 16-ineh gang, 4 

acres per day 12i/^ days 

Disking — 4 horses, 8-foot disk harrow, 

15 acres per day 3% days 

Harrowing — (3 times), 3 horses, 3-sec- 

tion harrow, 30 acres per day 5 days 

Planting — 2 horses, check row planter, 

12% acres per day 4 days 

Cultivating — (4 times), 2 horses, 1-row 

cultivator, 10 acres per day 20 days 

Harvesting — 3 horses, corn binder, 8 

acres per day 614 days 

Total— 51.08 days, or 1,450.5 h. p. hours. 

30 Acres of Wheat and Oats. 

Disking twice — 4 horses, 8-foot harrow, 

15 acres per day 4 days 

Harrowing — 3 horses, 3-section harrow, 

30 acres per day 1 day 

Drilling — 3 horses, 12x8 drill, 15 acres 

per day 2 days 

Harvesting — 4 horses, 8-foot binder, 15 

acres per day 2 days 

Total — 9 days, or 330 h. p. hours. 

20 Acres of Hay. 

Mowing — 2 horses, 5-foot mower, 10 acres 

per day 2 days 

Raking — 2 horses, 8-foot side delivery 
rake, 15 acres per day 1^ days 

Loading — 2 horses, 6-foot loader, 10 

acres per day 2 days 

Total — 51/2 days, or 110 h. p. hours. 



"The total horse power hours of field work re- 
quired for these three crops is 1,890.5. At 12.5 
cents an hour the horse cost is $236.30. This does 
not include any expense for man labor. ' ' 

Continuing this analysis, let us assume that the 
average farmer on such a 160-acre farm could sell 
his four horses at an average price of $150. (These 
figures were for 1916 and deductions should be 
made up or down as the market price for horses 
and mules and various otlier items that enter into 
tliis cost account have varied.) The $600 brought 
from the horses would partially pay for a 8-16 H. P. 
gasoline tractor or would be three-fifths of the 
cost of at least two well-known models rated at 
10-20 H. P. and selling at $1,000. 

Let us compare the cost of the same work as 
done by the horse and as done by the tractor : 

"In the first place, the tractor will do all of the 
operations mentioned above with the exception of 
planting and cultivating the corn, and perhaps 
operating the side delivery rake, and for this work 
and other light horse jobs we have kept two horses 
and the colt. (Figures based on 10-hour day). 

50 Acres of Com Land. 

Plowing — 8-16 tractor and two 14-inch 

plows, 5.6 acres per day 9 days 

(If pulling three 14-inch plows, 8.4 
acres per day, 6 days.) 
Disking and harrowing in one operation : 
8-16 tractor, 8-foot disk harrow with 2- 
section peg, 20 acres per day 21^ days 




PERCENT^GE Of 3UNSHiNE 



HiKh trmper 



«'hioh are essential to e:r:iin erops. are a handicap to the horse, 
not lessen traetor efficiency in deep plo«ring; it does that of the horse 

CHART 13 



Hot weather 



Harrowing twice — 8-16 tractor with 3- 

section harrow, 35 acres per day 3 days 

Planting — Use the team and planter. 
Cultivating — Use the team and cultivator. 

Harvesting — 8-16 tractor and corn bind- 
er, 8 acres per day 6^4 days 

Total 20% days 

30 Acres of Oats and Wheat. 

Double disking and harrowing in one 

operation : 
8-16 tractor with 8-t'oot tandem harrow 

and 2-section peg, 20 acres per day. . . l^A days 
Drilling— 8-lG tractor with 12x8 drill, 20 

acres per day IV2 days 

Harvesting — 8-16 tractor with 8-foot 

binder, 20 acres per day ll^ days 

Total \ 41/2 days 

20 Acres of Hay. 

Mowing — 8-16 tractor with two 5-foot 

mowers, 20 acres per day 1 day 

Raking — ^With a 2-horse team. 

Loading — 8-16 tractor with windrow 

loader, 13 acres per day li/> days 

Total 21/2 days 

Note : These are July, 1916, average prices — 

kerosene, 8 cents, gasoline, 18.5 cents. The cost in 

any particular territory may be obtained by using 

local prices. 

"Here is 27% days' work with a tractor which 

will require 15 to 20 gallons of low-grade kerosene 

at 8 cents per gallon, and one gallon of lubricating 



oil at 35 ceiils — total fuel per day .$1.95. Adding 
to this a liberal amount for depreciation and re- 
pairs, interest at 6 per cent, and a day's operation 
(counting "lOO days' work per year), will cost 
alwut $4, total for 2734 days is $111. The horse 
labor for planting, cultivating and raking amounts 
to $63.75, which added to $111 makes a total of 
$174.75, or, the tractor does for $111 work which, 
wlien done with horses, costs $172.55. This is a 
clear saving ol $61.55, and the crops were put in 
in 12% d.\ys' less time. 

"This, however, does not indicate the differ- 
ence in profit in handling the job with a tractor 
rather than with horses. Selling four horses leaves 
the farmer wiih $365 worth of feed to put into but- 
ter fat or beef. This amount, will keep ten cows, 
which can return a net pi'ofit of about $300. Take 
out of this $300 profit, the $111 which it costs to 
operate the tractor, and there is still left a net 
profit of $189 a year in cash, and a saving of 121/^ 
days of man labor. (The $365 worth of feed saved 
would more than equal the value of the manure 
providing all the horses were maintained.) 

"Farm labor is worth at least $1.50 per day, 
including board. Here is a saving of $18.50, a total 
of $207. .50 fot- the .year, not including the saving in 
belt work. 

"Add to this the profit which can be made by 
having available belt power at about 2 cents per 
horse power hour for all the miscellaneous work 
that comes about almost every day in the year, 
and it is apparent that a good tractor burning 
kerosene could pay for itself long before it is worn 
out. 




Month 
January. . 
February . 
March 



Crop Hours 
.Woodlot 48 



CHART 14 

Relative efficiency of ii man with a four plow tractor 

compared with one who used a two bottom horse 

drawn plow 

Work Done in Season 

"The saving of I2V3 days of labor which were 
figured at $1.50 per day can be made far more 
profitable. On any farm, even with ample horses 
to take care of the work, seasons are sometimes 
against the farmer. Good spring plowing or seed- 
ing weather may be of short duration, with a re- 
sult that not all the acreage planted is cultivated. 
Again, a day gained in the harvest is oftentimes 
of far greater importance than the $1.50 saved in 
labor. With a tractor on the job you can work 
twenty-four hours a day if necessary to take ad- 
vantage of the weather. Besides this, the days 
gained may give the farmer an opportunity to do 
work for the neighbors at a good profit." 

Another Set of Figures 

These figures as to the extent and cost of horse 
labor may be interestingly compared with a set 
that recently appeared in Successful Farminff, 
October, 1919, under the title "The Cost of Farm 
Horse Labor," as compiled by W. B. W., Indiana. 
The soil on this particular farm whereon the cost 
accounts were kept is rather heavy clay with 
strips of creek bottom soil. The regulation Middle 
Western staple crops were put in, but included 
during the year, 13 acres of soy beans. The rest 
of the acreage ran 50 of corn, .30 of clover, 60 of 
wheat, and 12 of oats. 

Never more than 4 horses were used in the 
fields at any one time. Two operators were em- 
ployed most of the time, and three during the rush 
and harvest season. 

The Division of Labor 

The following table gives the number of hours 
of horse labor for each crop during each month of 
the year : 



April 

May. 
June . 

Julv. 



August . 



September . 



October. 



November. 
December. 



Oats 64 

Repairs 65 

.Wheat 34 

Repairs 42 

Corn 91 

.Corn 542 

Farm Repairs. .128 

.Wheat 10 

Orchard 50 

Farm Repairs. . 14 

Corn 370 

Clover 164 

.Corn 115 

Orchard 15 

Farm Repairs . . 30 

Oats 51 

Wheat (1918).. 215 

Wheat (1919). .190 

..Wheat (1919).. 198 

Oats 180 

Orchard 5 

Farm 40 

Clover 20 

Corn 25 

..Clover 72 

Corn 124 

Farm 50 

Orchard 10 

Wheat (1919).. 215 
.Wheat (1918).. 48 

Orchard 6 

Farm 60 

Corn 164 

Clover 72 

.Corn 283 

Farm 10 

..Corn 168 



Total 

48 



129 

167 
670 

621 

616 

468 
471 

350 

293 
168 



Total 3,995 

The Grand Total 

The following is the grand total of comparative 
horse labor required for each crop: 

Clover 328 

Corn 1,889 

Oats 295 

Wheat 250 

Wheat (1919) 651 

Orchard 86 

Farm Repairs 279 

Miscellaneous 713 

Total 4,500 

hours of horse labor for the year. 

It will be seen from this that the total number 
of 10-hour days for the 4 horses was 450 or a little 
more than 110 apiece for each horse. (Note that 
the miscellaneous total of 4,500 hours is larger 
than the total showing in the monthly table. This 
is because small items of miscellaneous farm labor 
have been left out of the montlhy labor sheet.) 



Food Amounts 

The food consumption for the horses during the 
entire year was as follows : 212 bushels of oats ; 
18 bushels of corn ; 3 tons of hay. 

Costs were as follows: 65 cents for oats; $1.50 
for corn; $1.30 a ton for hay; $254.80 the total 
feed cost, not including pasture thruout the sum- 
mer, straw, etc. It should be understood that 
these are on-the-farm costs and not dealer's prices. 

We may figure pasture costs at $1.50 per head 
a month or $48 for the 4 head 8 months. Miscel- 
laneous costs to include interest on investment, 
labor, horse shoeing, veterinary fees, etc., would 
amount to $70 more, making the total cost for the 
four horses $372.80 a year. The total cost for 
each horse would average about $93.20. Dividing 
$372.80 by 4,500, the number of hours the horses 
work during the year, the total cost of horse labor 
per horse would be 8.3 cents. 

Some Deductions 

In a further analysis of the table, there will be 
found, as many authorities have often asserted, 
that the farm horse is only really busy during 5 
months of the year or roughly from May 1st to 
October 1st. Of course, thruout the year there is 
a wide variety of odd jobs and minor labor that 
the horse is called upon to perform but the prin- 
cipal employment is during the time indicated — 
the hottest part of the year. No account is ren- 
dered as to the value of the manure returned. The 
manure value is almost always a variant factor 
according to the methods employed for its conser- 
vation. 

Tractor Saving's 

Comparative tractor costs for the same amount 
of labor would be under average use, one-tenth to 





APR. 


MAY |jtmE|jULY| AUCISEPT-JOCT 




•100% 




p 


--'^- ' — ^-- 


HORDES 


00% 


^-> 


'^ 


< 


I ^7 


TRACTORS 


m.^ 


! * ^ 


80% 


r^ \ - -n 




70% 
60% 
50% 
40Z 


=r I 




T 


-^ 











h 


y 


r 






50% 


^^ 










=^ 






io% 


H 

















Relative efficiency curves: Horse and tractor 

CHART 15 

two-tenths lower, with an annual average ad- 
vantage of from 12 to 40 days of belt work added, 
not possible with mere horse labor. Besides this, 
there is the humanitarian advantage of not work- 
ing horses during the excessive heat between May 
and September. 

The tractor, at a slightly higher initial invest- 
ment, accomplishes most of the crop operations 
that the horse performs and many that he cannot. 
Moreover, judged by the extent and thoroness 
with which the work is done, the tractor, an un- 
feeling powerful machine, unaffected by weather 
or soil conditions, costs less and endures, rela- 
tively, as long as the average horse. 




16 CAPPBI^ STA T£-S f/AD T/J/S 
BUy/T^G POVU'^/^ rSN rEARS AGO 



A691580 I^APAT^PS yW 
^>'2 OTfiErP STATE'S 
/.MD TJ/7S 




chaptp:r IV 
The Status of the Tractor 




ILT.USTRATION 16 

Kinds of Tractor Work 

Any tabulations of yoai'-round tractor usage 
must take into account that, the mean a'-erage of 
drawbar and belt work will vary according to 
working conditions, which in turn v.ill be different 
from season to season and from year to year. There 
will also be years in which some of the drawbar 
work as well as the belt work will be greatly in- 
creased in certain items. For instance, it is safe 
to say that the unusual conditions of 1919, which 
witnessed a superproduction of wheat, show a 
much higher average for all forms of drawbar 
work, particularly plowing, than in all probabili- 
ties will be witnessed for some time to come. 

An analysis of the sixteen corn and wheat states, 
drawn from a variety of sources, discloses that at 
the head of strictly drawbar work, plowing oc- 
cupies the largest number of daj^s, followed in a 
more or less numerous variation by the following 
kinds of field work : discing, harrowing, seeding 
and cultivation, with at times a predominance of 
days devoted to the special operations of the har- 
vest, including both wheat and corn. Other im- 
portant operations which at times, according to 



the locality and the season, have major pi'oni 
inence in the drawbar work accomplished by the 
tractor are: ditching, hauling wheat to el3vato)'s. 
road building, stump pulling and occasionally the 
moving of buildings. 

Flexibility 

The point to emphasize in any discussion of 
tractor usage is the fact that it is much more flex- 
ible and all-round farm power unit than is gener- 
ally thought of or practiced. Too many farmers 
consider that tractor work is finished when plow- 
ing, harvesting and threshing are over. 

The various drawbar operations are too fre- 
quently emjihasized at the expense of belt work. 
There are relatively few farms that cannot provide 
a great amount of belt work for some type of gas 
engine, and particularly those larger jobs that 
task the capacity of any stationary gas engine 
under four horse-power. Recent investigations es- 
tablishes that, Avith proper distribution of time, so 
as not to interfere with the major operations of 
the farm, from 75 to 100 days per year of maxi- 
mum belt work can be found for am' tractor of 
from four to six horse-power rating. 

A tractor expert recently declared that ten 
day's usage of the machine under favorable con- 
ditions effect a saving in overhead expense suf- 
ficient to pay the interest on the investment, all 
repairs and upkeep, with a sufficient allowance 
besides for normal depreciation. It. is easy to 
realize, therefore, that the return on the mone.y 
invested increases as the amount of work that the 
tractor can do is extended. Active use of the 
machine results in less depreciation than if it is 
left standing idle. A great many farmers still 
have the false notion that idle farm implements 
re(j[uire no care. It, therefore, follows that a ma- 
chine in actual use frequently receives by neces- 
sit.y greater attention than when standing idle. 

Estimating the Number 

Any estimate that seeks to set either the actual 
number of tractors is use or the actual number to 
be in use at some time in the future is more or 
less approximate. But as has been mentioned, it 
is safe to estimate the number of tractors actually 
in use (1918) in the so-called tractor belt at some- 
where between 35,000 and 50,000 machines. This 
estimate, which has been confirmed in the higher 
figui'e by the Farm Implement Journal of Chi- 
cago in a recent investigation, is based upon a 
combined analysis of the somewhat meager pro- 
duction returns and sales records, by no means in- 
cluding all makes of tractors, and the equally 
meager official and government lists. 



the Inited States. State Bxperlment Station Gstiniates, January. 1, 1920. 



CAPPER 
STATES 



No.ot 
Tractors 



Kansas 8,689 

\ehraska 7,292 

UisHoiiri S,3«8 

Qklahoma 795 (1) 

Texas lO.OUO 

towa 9,000 

Illinois 12,00O (2) 

[ndinna 1,853 (1) 

Minnesota 1,575 (1) 

VVisronsin 2,800 

S. Makota 1,527 (1) 

X. Dakota 3.137 (1) 

Arkansas 330 (1) 

'Jolorndo 525 (1) 

VVyomin); ISO (1) 

\ew Mexico 375 



No. of 
Tractors 



-Vlaoama 400 

Arizona 23 (1) 

California 15,000 

Connecticut 
Delaware . . 
Florida 



47 (1) 
100 

71 (1) 

Georgia 543 (1) 

Idaho 262 (1) 

Kentucky 1,800 

Louisiana 2,000 

Maine 400 

Maryland 1,000 

Massachusetts 91 (1) 

Michigan 945 (1) 

Mississippi 377 (1) 

Montana 808 (1) 



No. of 
Tractors 



Nevada 19 (1) 

New Hampshire 23 (1) 

New Jersey 107 (1) 

New York 1,210 (1) 

V\ Carolina 452 (1) 

Cihio 7,500 

Oregon 318 (1) 

Pennsylvania 3,700 

Rhode Island 80 

S. Carolina 387 (1) 

Tennessee 1,800 

Utah 700 

V'ermont 175 

Virginia 2,500 

Washington 209 (1) 

West Virginia 90 (1) 



TOTAL, IN THE 16 CAPPEIl STATES 67,457 

50% i>f states reporting- g-ain 1920. 



TOTAL, IN THE 32 OTHER STATES 43,137 

44 7< of statos reporting gain 1920. 



T(JTAL IN UNITED STATES 110,594 

(i') Estimated 209r increase over January 1, 1919, 



(1 > 1917 FigL 



l.y Stale Agr 



ultiiral Experiii 

TABLE 17 



i-tai-ies of State, Ja 



Present Sales 

The number of tractors so far sold has been 
strictly limited by the belief which the average 
farmer has had as to the greater adaptability of 
the tractor to the various production procedures 
of different crops. By the same reasonin"-, any es- 
timate of future sales will depend upon much the 
same peculiar factors as has been before men- 
tioned. The crux of the whole question centers 
about the necessity for education. When the full 
efficiency of the tractor as the common agricul- 
tural imi^lement most fitted to develop the maxi- 
mum crop possibilities of the ]\Iiddle West is fully 
understood by farmers there will be realized a 
maximum of tractor sales and an equalization of 
tractor distribution. 

An Error 

There has been a serious error of some statisti- 
cians hitherto attempting to estimate the potenti- 
ality of tractor sales. The usual method has been 
to base the possible number of tractors that might 
be used in the Middle West upon the acreage of 
ground actually worked by the horse. But the 
tractor is the one power-unit necessary to open up 
the new acres where deep plowing and extensive 
cultivation has been hitherto impossible with horse 
power. Furthermore, there has been the assump- 
tion that there will be a decrease in the number 
of horses. Such an assumption may be largely a 
theoretical one. As has been frequently pointed 
out, the next decade in tractor development will 
not so much displace but supplement the horse. It 
might be more accurate to say that the horse will 
supplement the tractor. The peculiar virtue of the 
tractor is its ability to handle big jobs more 
(luickly and more seasonably. 

A Place for the Horse 

But there still remains a vast amount of light 
work, particularly that concerned with the culti- 



vation of corn and light draft hauling, in which 
the horse can be used to great advantage. In fact 
as the tractor assumes more and more the majority 
of heavy "extensive" farm work and extends the 
radius of new farm land there will be a cor- 
responding increase in the number of possibilities 
of economical horse labor. 

Life of a Tractor 

Still another condition of annual tractor sales 
will be that determined by the kind and length of 
Iractor usage obtained by individual OAvners. At 
present the average of estimates as to length of 
service varies greatly with some farmers, ranging 
from the high average of 9.4 years to less than 
three years with others. The majority of trac- 
tor owners in such representative communities 
as Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Iowa, North Da- 
kota and Minnesota are of the opinion that trac- 
tors are improving and that the present-day 
machines actually last longer, under severe field 
conditions, than did the machines of 5 or 6 years 
ago. Until recently there has been a decided 
movement in favor of the lighter weight and 
handier gas engine tractor. 

More Data 

But 1919 has marked a reaction in the opposite 
direction ; many favor a slightly heavier type of 
gas tractor. There is also an opinion that the 
larger machines stand up better than the smaller 
ones if for no other reason than that larger-sized 
machines are not likely to be overloaded. While 
a slight overload must be frequently accommo- 
dated the tendency of many farmers, due to ig- 
norance or a natural pride in the capability of 
their machines, is to overload habitually. The re- 
sult is a rapid deterioration that is not a favorable 
argument for the particular make of machine con- 
cerned. 




[111(1 three men ditinti: the Mork 

ILLUSTRATION 18 



Overload Warning from an 
Expert 

There is a very interesting discussion of the 
whole question of overload, with a relative com- 
parison between the horse and the tractor, in 
"Internal Combustion Engines and Tractors," 
by Major Oliver B. Zimmerman, International 
Harvester Corporation. It is herewith quoted 
from Chapter 12 of that book since it sums up 
most accurately and succinctly, both for the trac- 
tor manufacturer and user, various points at issue : 

"Many a good tractor has gone to the junk 
heap years before its time for the sole reason that 
from the beginning it was overloaded. A good 
farmer would not think of working his horses un- 
til they fell in their tracks. The warning given 
by their heaving and panting would not pass un- 
heeded. But with a tractor the heaving and pant- 
ing, slowing down of the speed, knock or pound 
in the cylinder, killing the engine by a load it 
cannot overcome, seem to go unheeded. As a re- 
sult, one part after another gives way, until the 
farmer finds himself all too soon with a worn-out 
tractor. 

A Misunderstanding 

"A misunderstanding of how much a horse can 
do and how much a tractor should do undoubtedly 
accounts for many an overload. We probably 
think one horse gives us one horse power, three 
horses, three horse power, and a tractor rated at 
10 horse power on the drawbar more than three 
times as much power as a three-horse team. 

The Exact Figures 

"Does it? The average horse can exert a pull 
of about 200 pounds traveling at 2 miles per hour. 
200 lb. X 10,560 ft. (2 mi.) = 2,112,000 ft.-lbs. in 1 
hour; 2,112,000 -^ 60 = 34,200 ft.-lbs. in 1 min. ; 1 
horse power = 33,000 ft.-lbs. per min., therefore 
pulling 200 lbs. is developing a little more than 1 
mechanical horse power. 

"How much could horses do exerting just this 
amount of power? The average resistance of the 
passage of a plow thru the soil is about 5 lb. per 
sq. in. of the perpendicular cross section of cut. 
This resistance varies with different soil types and 
conditions as shown in the table herewith : 



Table 

In sandy soil 2 to 3 lb. 

In corn stubble 3 lb. 

In wheat stubble 4 lb. 

In blue grass sod 6 1b. 

In June grass sod 6 lb. 

In clover sod 7 lb. 

In clay soil 8 lb. 

In prairie sod 15 lb. 

In virgin sod 15 lb. 

In gumbo 20 lb. 



per sq. in. 
per sq. in. 
per sq. in. 
per sq. in. 
per sq. in. 
per sq. in. 
per sq. in. 
per sq. in. 
per sq. in. 
per sq. in. 



(The soil resistance per square inch of furrow 
slice turned varies greatly in different sections of 
the country. Tests made by the Hyatt Roller 
Bearing Company showed that Texas cornstalk 
stubble required an average of 8 pounds to the 
square inch of furrow slice turned, while Bermuda 
sod required 11 pounds to the square inch of fur- 
row slice.) 

"Suppose we used 14-inch plows and plow 6 
inches deep. A cross section of this plow would 
be 14x6 or 84 square inches. At an average pres- 
sure of 5 lbs. per sq. in. we have 5x84 or 420 lbs. 
per plow. Two plows would require a pull of 
2x240 or 840 lbs. We found previously that at 
2 mi. per hour a horse pulled about 200 lbs. and 
exefted a little over 1 horse power. If the horse 
had exerted only 188 lbs. pull it would have been 
exactly 1 horse power. Dividing 840x188, we find 
that we need practically 4^1; mechanical horse 
power to pull the two 14-ineh plows 6 inches deep. 



The Plowing Load 



"As the plows start into the soil the horses must 
overcome 1,200 to 1,500 lbs. resistance, or they 
must exert from 6 to 8 horse power. They can do 
this for a short time. After the plowing is well 
started the resistance lowers, until it reaches nor- 
mal, or about 840 lbs. or 414 horse power. Sud- 
denly the plow strikes a root or a stone or hard- 
pan. Up goes the resistance again to 8 horse 
power. 

Reserve Power 

"It must be apparent from this that it wouldn't 
be safe to go into a field with plows needing 41/2 
horse power for ordinary work unless you had at 
least again as much power in reserve to take care 
of emergencies. A horse capable of pulling 1 



M < m' 



ft 1 -^v l.r-«fi 





i^i»B2kiii^ 



lit least two men and eisiit Ik 

ILLUSTRATION IS 



luul is doin^ it better 



horse power on an average can exert from 4 to 5 
horse power for a short pull. It is this reserve 
]iower whieh eiiables horses to get thru with the 
work. 

"The same reserve power is needed in a tractor. 
If 41/; horse power ordinarily would handle the 
load, your tractor should have 414 more in re- 
serve, or a total of 9 horse power. There are times 
in plowing when the resistance is doubled. When 
those times come, if you have no reserve, you put 
on an overload, and in just a few moments do an 
untold amount of injury to your tractor." 

Another Warning 

The same note of warning is sounded in Farm- 
ers Bulletin No. 719, as issued by United States 
Department of Agriculture : 

"It does not pay to overload a tractor any more 
than it does pay to overload a horse. Three jjIows 
behind a two-plow tractor will cover only a little 
more ground, as a rule, than will two plows, be- 
cause the tractor usually will travel a little slower, 
partly because the motor is overloaded and does 
not maintain its proper speed, and partl.y because 
the drive wheels will slip more with a load heavier 
than the machine was designed to pull. As a re- 
sult, delays on account of small holes or slight 
grades will be more common, as Avill also me- 
chanical difficulties.'' 

To Resume — ^Tractor Life 

But the market seems "set" in the direction 
of the "light" or "medium" tractor; almost every 
day sees the introduction of a new make. All 
things considered, we may estimate the life of the 



tractor at not less than six years, with a maxi- 
mum working life full time, and with a complete 
utilization of maximum power, of between 900 and 
1.200 days. It should be understood that this is 
the maximum limit and presupposes a first-quality 
machine, first quality care and expert operation. 

Average Tractor Life 

Perhaps it is safest to accept a more conserva- 
tive estimate which puts the average life of the 
tractor at 9 years, including drawbar and belt 
work, at 51 annual days — a total working life or 
roughly 460 days. But these or any other esti- 
mates are strongly conditioned not simply by the 
factors mentioned above but also by the propor- 
tion of field and belt work. A tractor deterio- 
rates more quickly under drawbar work than when 
used for belt power. Extraordinary seasons, un- 
der the impetus of superproduction such as 1918 
and 1919, are still further factors in that deteri- 
oration which consequently lessens the life of the 
tractor. And as tractors increase in size and 
horse-power rating there is also a proportionate 
increase in the speed at which various operations 
may be accomplished. Thus will be seen some of 
the difficulties of estimating the potential market 
for tractors. 

However, one must take into account that fact 
already touched upon: the initial amount of cap- 
ital invested by a given farmer is governed pretty 
largely by the immediate economic conditions of 
each year. Consequently the level of farm eco- 
nomic stability, both local and national, is largely 
detei'minative of any ultimate purchase of trac- 
tors. 




Tractor 

c)al(Z5 

Territory 

present and pro^'^ctive 



CHART 20 



CHAPTER V 

The Tractor Market 



Current Potential Figures 

In the beginning of 1919, the number of horses 
and mules in the 16 corn and wheat states num- 
bered 16,047,000 with an estimated value of $1,- 
532,969,000. (It is, of course, understood that 
these figures vary from month to month but they 
have held fairly constant during the entire course 
of 1919 and may be, therefore, taken as an ap- 
proximately accurate index.) The interest on 
such a horse and mule investment at 4 per cent is 
$61,318,760. 

The estimated number of tractors in use in the 
same region at the beginning of 1919 was approxi- 
mately 35,000 machines. The average value of 
tractors under present market conditions may be 
estimated at .$1,400, giving us a total investment 
of $49,000,000 with an interest return at 4 per 
cent of $1,960,000. 

Horse Preponderance 

These two sets of figures show graphically 
enough the tremdous preponderance still of the 
horse as the Middle Western farm power unit, and 
will still further exemplify why the supplementa- 
tion of horse and mule power by the tractor may 
be a somewhat extended procedure. 

But we may assume that the next five years, 



owing to the demands, more and more constant 
for an increased production of foodstuffs, will see 
the era of power farming increase very rapidly. 
We may, therefore, make some interesting esti- 
mates in concrete figures of the tractor market 
for the next five years. 

The estimated tractive efficiency of a horse or 
mule may be put at 60 per cent of 1 horse power. 
The total horse power efficiency of all farm draft 
animals for the 16 IVIiddle Western states would, 
therefore, ecpial 9,628,200 horse power. To be 
conservative 50 per cent of this total should be 
deducted for animals not in use or under three 
years of age. This dediiction gives a total of 
4,814,100 horse power as the coefficient of prob- 
able horse power, more or less constantly in use 
on the farms of these 16 states. 

Percentage of Tractor Substitu- 
tion 

We may reasonably assume that of this 4,814,- 
100 liorse power three-fifths of it may be displaced 
by tractors within the next five years. Multiply- 
ing 4,814,100 by three-fifths we have a total of 
potential tractor horse power of 2,888,460 as a 
minimum of tractors in use by 1925. The draw- 
bar capacity of the average tractor is 10 horse 



POTENTIAL MARKET FOR TRACTORS IN THE 16 CAPPER STATES 



Capper States 



Kansas (1) 40,225 

Nebraska (1) 33,545 

Missouri (3) 37,125 

Oklahoma (2) 22,506 

Texas (3) 35,221 

Iowa (1) 45,899 

Illinois (1) 41,259 

Indiana (1) 31,334 

Minnesota (1) 48,460 

Wisconsin (1) 61,517 

South Dakota ( 1 ) 24,870 

North Dakota ( 1 ) 29,405 

Arkansas (3) 11,612 

Colorado (2) 13.790 

Wyoming (2) 4,205 

New Mexico (3) 8,647 

Total 489,620 



Every farm of 100 acres or more operated by the owner Is a po- 
tential market for a tractor. No tenant operated farms are included 
in this computation. 

(1) Potential sales estimated at 70% of all farms over 100 acres 
operated by owners. 

(2) Potential sales estimated as 60% of all farms over 100 acres 
operated by owners. 

(3) Potential sales estimated as .50% of all farms over 100 acres 
operated by owners. 

Basic figures from U. S. Census. 1910. Estimated increase In po- 
tential market for tractors due to increased acreage under cultivation 
10 per cent of figures given in table. 

Compiled by Bureau of Research THE CAPPER FARM PRESS. 



TABT^E 21 



power. The potential tractor sale would, there- 
fore, be 288,846. Of the original number of trac- 
tors already in use (35,000) we may assume that 
during the next five years, 75 per cent of them 
will become outworn or otherwise replaced, a num- 
ber totalling 24,250. The ultimate total will be still 
further increased b.y estimating the amount of 
horse power to be assumed by tractor belt work 
and which is now performed by stationary gas en- 
gines. There is at present no accurate census 
(1919) of stationary gas engines in use on Middle 
Western farms. But it is conservative to estimate 
that number at roughly 650,000. The average 
horse power rating of these stationary engines 
may be put at 15 or a total production of 9,750,- 
000 horse power. At least 75 per cent of this 
total rating will be ultimately displaced by trac- 
tors of an average belt power rating of 20 horse 
power, which by the process of division, would 
give us an added total of tractors of 487,500. But 
of this total some fraction would necessarily have 
been included in those tractors already bought 
for general farm use ; in fact, this actual per- 
centage would be relatively large. In conse- 
quence of this fact, we should for safety's sake 
deduct 50 per cent which would leave us a total 
of 243,750. To these figures we may also add a 
total of 5,000 machines that will be bought ex- 
clusively for road making or other semi-rural use. 
This is a conservative figure in view of the pres- 
ent plans of the Middle West to build and con- 
struct some $600,000,000 of hard-surfaced high- 
ways. 

Summary 

The total figures may be tabulated as follows : ■ 

General farm use laased on substitution of 

horse and mule power by the tractor. . . .315,096 

Based on displacement of stationary gas 

engines by belt tractors 243,750 

Adding for road construction purposes, 
etc 5,000 

Total 563,846 



Some Exceptions 

No account is made in this estimate of the po- 
tential market for the substitution by tractors of 
other horse power units now in use, such as : 
windmills, water power and steam tractors. Wind- 
mills and water power will not be displaced ; they 
are more likely to increase. Of these factors, the 
only one likely to suffer substitution would be 
steam tractors. The number of these is not rela- 
tively large and their proportion has been more or 
less constant in the last two years and will remain 
30 in view of the wide-spread acceptance of the 
medium-weight, medium-priced tractor. 

We may, therefore, fix the potential market for 
gas engine tractors that will develop during the 
next five years at between 500,000 and 600,000 
witli the mean average of 550,000 as being a prob- 
able figure. 

Another Estimate 

If we are to accept the estimate of one author- 
ity that within the next few years over a million 
tractors would be sold on the farm market thruout 
the entire country, we might, pro-rating this fig- 
ure according to the agricultural resources of the 
Mid-Western states, work out a slightly higher 
figure for the potential market. 

For instance, the 16 wheat and corn states pro- 
duce on an average two-thirds of the total agri- 
cultural wealth of the entire country. There is no 
reason to suspect that there will be any change in 
this status during the next five years. In fact, 
pro-rating the total of this capacitative contribu- 
tion to the agricultural wealth of the country, we 
may work out a rough potential tractor sale of 
some 666,000 tractors, not much beyond the figure 
previously estimated. 

Still Another Estimate 

It is interesting to compare these two estimates 
with another, recently compiled by the Bureau of 
Research Capper Farm Press. The figures in 
the above table were obtained by assuming that 



27 




The Potential Market for a Half- 

CHART 22 



illion Traetors 



every farm of 100 acres or more is a potential 
market for a tractor. In the computation no ten- 
ant-operated farms are included. This fact is 
noted in particular because, owing to a fairly well- 
established economic sales law, we know that "as 
tenantry increases the purchase of farm machin- 
ery declines." Tenantry is greatly on the in- 
crease, especially in Iowa and other states; this 
condition would, therefore, tend to reduce the 
total figures to those obtained by the two other 
estimates. Other conditions affecting the esti- 
mate are given below. The table follows : 

Capper States Number 

Kansas (1) 40,225 

Nebraska (1) 33,645 

Missouri (3) 37,125 

Oklahoma (2) 22,506 

Texas (3) 35,221 

Iowa (1) 45,899 

Illinois (1) 41,259 

Indiana (1) 31,334 

Minnesota (1) 48,460 

Wisconsin (1) 61,517 

So. Dakota (1) 24,870 

No. Dakota (1 ) 29,405 

Arkansas (3) 11,612 

Colorado (2) 13,790 

Wyoming (2) 4,205 

New Mexico (3) 8,647 

Total 489,620 



1. Potential sales estimated at 70% of all farms 

over 100 acres operated by owners. 

2. Potential sales estimated as 60 %• of all farms 

over 100 acres operated by owners. 

3. Potential sales estimated as 50% of the farms 

over 100 acres operated by owners. 

Basic figures from U. S. Census, 1910. 

Estimated increase in potential market for trac- 
tors due to increased acreage under cultivation, 
10 per cent of figures given in table. This would 
make a grand total of 538,582. 

Other Determinents 

Some of the other elements affecting estimates 
of the potential market on which might in the fu- 
ture influence the market already established are : 

1. Ratio of increase in tractor use since 1910. 

2. Ratio of increase in manufacturing since 1910. 

3. Estimate of "absorptive" capacity of still un- 

developed tractor areas. 

4. Determination of propoi'tion of tractors to 

pojjulation in any given highly developed 
developed region already converted to the 
use of this power unit with a pro-rated es- 
timate for the rest of the .country. 

5. An inquiry into the fact that as tenantry in- 

creases the purchase of farm machinery de- 
creases. This condition, established thru 
the investigation of Bureau of Research, 
The Capper Farm Press, would consider the 
large increase of tenantry in such states as 
Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas. 



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nrket conditions fir 



tiediatc Hales of tractors from logical distribution center* 

CHART 23 



A tabulation of the number of tractor inquir- 
ies, letters, communications, etc., addressed 
to the editors of leading farm journals. The 
increase in this index in the editorial of- 
fices of The Capper Farm Press has been 
roughly 50 per cent greater than 1915, and 
will continue to grow greater as the effects 
of this publication's vigorous campaign for 
complete farm motorization makes itself 
even more felt among its readers. 

A tabulation of the growth of tractor adver- 
tising as it has appeared in leading imple- 
ment and farm journals. Figures for The 
Capper Farm Press since 1915 indicate a 
growth in this direction of between 45 and 
60 per cent, with the peak in each year com- 
ing in February and June. 



Advertising 



Incidentally in this connection, it is hoped the 
tractor manufacturers and distributors will make 
no false deductions as to the potential market be- 
cause of the seeming lack at times of interest in 
tractor shows, exhibitions and the larger demon- 
strations. It was a natural disappointment last 
year (1919) that the Wichita Show, one of the 
largest and most complete of its kind, drew com- 
paratively so few farmers. But it should not be 
forgotten that the exhibition was given in the 
harvesting season, at a place inconvenient in re- 



lation to Wichita itself and in addition received 
more extensive advertising among the trade than 
among the farmers. 

Tractor Shows 

The admission by the tractor interests that 
the day of the big national "stunt" is past was 
recognized on December 2nd and 3rd, 1919, when 
the tractor and thresher department of the N. I. 
V. A. decided to do away with the National Trac- 
tor Demonstration and to recognize the field test 
as the one best way of interesting and selling the 
farmer. 

He already accepts the idea of the tractor. But 
he hates to think that ultimately he pays for the 
"big show." Most of all he demands not a spec- 
tacle or "arranged" performance but a "catch-as- 
catch-can" field demonstration. Thus the various 
county shows and those tests conducted by the 
local dealers upon the very farms themselves of 
the prospective buyers is the one most productive 
method of selling. Certainly it is the one method 
that best fits in with the "try it yourself and be 
convinced" policy that every leading farm paper 
now advocates editorially and otherwise in the 
purchase of a tractor. 

Extra Markets 

No mention has been made of what might be 
called "extra sale possibilities." Among these 




The dn7 is g:oii 



when the hired hands were so plentiful they were ' in each othe 

IT>I.USTRATION 2 4 



additional conditions that will influence a future 
tractor market may be mentioned three : 

1. There are sixty million acres of swamp lands 

which, according to the estimate of the In- 
terior Dejjarlment are convertible into till- 
able areas. The extensive ditching', evacu- 
ation, tiling and deep tilling that would be 
necessary in such projects can best be per- 
formed by tractors. The ability of the trac- 
tor, particularly of the caterpillar type, to 
keep its footing and lay its own track is 
nowhere better demonstrated than on wet 
land where a horse or mule would be help- 
lessly floundered. 

2. The Interior Department estimates that there 

are over 200 million acres of cut-over land 
awaiting development. Here is an immense 
field for the tractor and esi^ecially in such 
drawbar work as stump pulling, heavy 
root plowing, leveling, etc., preparatory to 
the utilization of the land for agricultural 
purposes. The comparatively new potato 
fields of Northern Wisconsin and those of 
hilly Aroostook County, Maine, indicate in a 
small measure the possibilities of tractors in 
this direction. There would be also a multi- 
tude of belt tractor work in the sawing up 
of waste lumber, etc. 
As hard-surfaced highways are more and more 
extended there will come a proportionate in- 
crease in the use of tractors in road making. 
Some idea of this potential use may be 
gained by considering the fact that in 1919 
there was already passed or pending, in the 
16 states of the Middle West 600 million dol- 
lars of bond issues for hard-surfaced high- 
ways. At present, out of the 1% million 
miles of highways in these same states, only 
a scant 100,000 miles or 7.4 per cent are 
hard-surfaced. 



Still New Markets 

No mention is made of the immense foreign mar- 
ket awaiting at our door in the tropics and semi- 
tropics, where lie undeveloped millions of acres 
of great agricultural potentialities that await only 
clearing and subsequent power farming to be 
made productive. 



3. 



Irrigation and the Tractor 

Hut within tlie limits of the United States, and 
strictly within the limits of the tractor belt as 
previously defined, here is still another immense 
field of jiossibilities in the extension of irrigated 
farming. Already in parts of Colorado and far- 
ther north not to mention certain new experi- 
ments in Western Kansas, this has been. There 
are small pumping outfits now in use for 5, 10 
and 15 acres of garden .small fruits, orchards, 
etc., all run by belt tractor power. And the da.y 
is soon coming when under the necessity of still 
greater production the present irrigation farming 
will not only be practicable but imperatively nec- 
essary. Japan, with a rainfall hardly greater than 
any part of our own grain belt, produces on a 
single acre, by irrigation, two and three crops a 
year averaging $160 to the acre. Some of this 
farming is wheat and the majority of it is small 
grain culture. Of course some of the high fer- 
tility is due to fertilization but the day of fertili- 
zation in the somewhat older corn and wheat land 
of the Middle West is already not far distant. In 
this same region it is inevitable as population in- 
creases that more rigid delimitation in the size 
of farms must be made with the subsequent adop- 
tion of a more intensive agriculture. As these 
methods arise they will of necessity involve trac- 
tors. Even today there is an increase in the locali- 
zation of the various farm operations, perhaps 
best seen in the purchase of small individual 
tlii'csliing machines. This increase in small 
threshing units has also advanced the use of the 
small tractor as the power source. 

Production 

Of course all predictions of the future tractor 
output are fundamentally conditioned b.y the fact 
that productive methods in agriculture will never 
grow less. The price of all food products has 
shown a steady average increase since the so- 
called over-production period ended in 1897. 
With the production cost of food products steadil.y 
rising there will also be an increase in the price of 
food products to the consumer. To be sure the 
last five years, and particularly the last two years, 
have witnessed an abnormal increase due to the 
war. But the average increase, when plotted, 
shows a progressive advance. This advance is due 
to the fact that relatively production, despite an 




ork at iiisiiit n lirii 

ILLUSTRATION 25 



advance in ijroducing methods, is not keeping up 
with the constantly increasing consumer demand. 
In fact there is indisputable evidence that tlie 
present high peak of food products indicates that 
we are facing a so-called period of starvation just 
as acute in its relative extent and intensity as 
that which existed when the American farmer 
equipped with only hand tools and tlie horse, was 
barely able to produce enough food for his own 
familv. 



A New Farming 



Boiled down the whole (piestion resolves itself 
into a cpiestion of extensive versus intensive farm- 
ing, with the first method making for under-pro- 
duction, a shortcoming due not so much to the 
actual total number of acres farmed as to the 
yield obtained. In fact, in certain older countries 
such as China, Japan, and even France and Ital.y 
— regions having no more rainfall than our West- 
ern plains — there are much larger grain yields an 
acre than with us. It has been the American ten- 
dency to be misled by the fact that our man yield 
an acre is high. As is the case in all extensive 
systems of agriculture, the acreage jdeld is low. 
In America the average acreage yield of wheat 
is scarcely above 14 bushels ; in France, especially 
in the great grain regions of Normandy along the 
Seine Valley, it jumps to almost 30 bushels ; the 
Central Hungarian plains show almost the same 
figure ; while even Japan, less fortunately en- 
dowed in fertility than these two other areas, 
shows the relatively high yield of 24 bushels. On 
the other hand, however ,the yearly income for 
each farm family in America averages about 
$1,000, with this figure showing each year a 
slightly higher progression. The same figures for 
France run, under normal peace conditions, about 
$570. 



Consumption 



It is not necessary to explain the economic doc- 
trine which demonstrates that there is relatively 
a greater return for the French farmer than for 
the American farmer. While the total aggregate 
annual farm wealth of America makes a good 
talking point the value of such wealth is more 
purely a quantitative fact than a qualitative one. 
Under normal peace conditions each family in the 
United States consumes between 5 and 6 bushels 



of Avheat annually, together with an average con- 
sumption of one-half ton of meat a year. But 
under the new conditions, imposed by an era of 
industrialism, relatively fewer people practically 
live on farms ; more people than ever before are 
engaged in occupations that are non-productive 
judged from the ability to support themselves and 
provide their own food supply. A century ago 
over nine-tenths of the total population lived on 
farms and were directly dependent upon agricul- 
ture for a living. In 1910, however, and increas- 
ingly so in the decade that has elapsed since that 
time, only one-third of the people were engaged in 
strictly agricultiiral pursuits. Such a condition 
means that those people who do remain on the 
farms, relatively a much smaller number than for- 
merly, must not only support themselves but in 
addition must support three urban non-productive 
families. The time is not far distant when this 
figure will be increased to four. Under the lash 
of war conditions this figure actually has reached 
five or sis families. 

The New Farming Again 

The problem then becomes one, as has often 
been reiterated, of increased production. This in- 
creased production must be met by an extension 
of agricultural population to include new and un- 
oi)ened areas of potential farm land. In addition, 
it must take cognizance of more extensive methods 
of agriculture upon those areas already produc- 
ing. Witli a lessened man-power, plus a rising 
labor market the only way in which the farmer can 
meet the situation and fulfil the demands, not only 
of himself but of an increasing and dependent in- 
dustrial ])opulation, is thoroly to motorize his 
farm. In other woi'ds he must make himself one 
with the sjnrit of the age. That spirit is expressed 
in terms of the machine. The tractor is the only 
answer. Hence any estimate of the potential fu- 
ture of this implement must recognize exactly and 
analyze even more delicately the precise limits of 
a newer production that the economic and social 
conditions will enforoe upon tlie farmer. 

Farm Labor 

As an exemplification of the foregoing discus- 
sion it may not be in apropos to cite one or two 
actual conditions whicli illuminate the theory. Let 
us consider the rise in the farm labor market. 




The old fi 
but not i) 



le cradle is still used in Iiarvesti 
the Bi-fiit «heat belt. From 
iiiid then tractors was 



A ill sonic ii.-lrls i 


f Aiiicric 


adle to McCorni 


ick bind 


long; step 





ILLUSTRATION 26 



Not many years ago the average farm hand re- 
ceived about $15 a month with board and wash- 
ing. This wage gradually increased to $20 and 
$25, then $30 and $40 as a general average. To- 
day farm hands receive anywhere from $50 to $80 
a month "and found"; and under stress of ex- 
traordinary conditions such as the wheat harvest 
this wage will approach $225 to $240. But even 
at that price farm hands are often unobtainable. 
The shorter hours, the higher wage-scale paid by 
industrial concerns, the more illusory environ- 
ments of city life and the sapping of man power by 
war have all contributed to deplete the farm labor 
market. 

Some Pertinent Figures 

The remarkable increase in farm wages in Kan- 
sas in recent years is shown in the estimates by 
Edward C. Paxton, Kansas field agent for the 
Bureau of Crop Estimates. The average harvest 
wage paid in Kansas in 1919 was 131 per cent of 
the 1918 price and 253 per cent of the 1913, or 
pre-war price. Harvest laborers received, on the 
average, $5.42 per day and board in 1919, as com- 
pared with .$4.14 in 1918 and only $2.14 in 1933. 

While farm wages for ordinary labor, other than 
harvest work, have not been as high, they do show 
an even more noticeable increase. Such wages 
have risen from an average of $1.53 in 1913 to 
$2.74 in 1918 and $3.71 in 1919, including board. 

Shorter Hours Also 

For farm labor, where hired by the month with 
board, the Kansas farmer paid in 1919 an average 
of $49.50 per month ; in 1919, $40.80 and in 1913 
only $24. 

"These estimates," says the report, "probably 
do not reflect the actual increase in cost of farm 
labor as it enters into cost of production since 
1913, due to the fact that number of hours of 
labor have been disregarded. It is safe to say 
that the average farm hand in 1913 worked two 
hours per day longer than in 1919. The length of 



the work day did not become involved in farm 
labor until long after it had been a strike issue in 
the industrial world. It is also possibly true that 
the harvest labor used in 1919 was really less ex- 
perienced and efficient than that supplied in 1913. 

To Command a Premium 

"The price of farm labor in recent years has 
shown a trend to approximate the prices prevail- 
ing in the industrial market. Because of the rel- 
ative conditions under which farm labor and city 
labor are performed, it is even conceivable that 
the time may soon come when farm labor will ae- 
tuallj' command a premium. 

In the Old Days 

"Historically, it is of interest to compare farm 
wages now with those paid in 1893, when the fi- 
nancial condition of the country was at very low 
ebb. In 1893 the Kansas farmer hired labor by 
the month for an average of $16.27 with board, 
and $24 without board.' Today he pays three 
times as much. In 1893 harvest hands commanded 
$1.15 and board, or $1.44 and found their own. 
Last summer the harvest hands were paid 4.71 
times as much. In those 'good old times' in 1893 
Kansas farmers were hiring clay labor thruout the 
year, for ordinary farm work, for the magnificent 
sum of 85 cents and board, or for $1.10 when the 
hand found his own meals and lodging. Ordinary 
farm hands have been receiving 4.37 times as much 
during the past year." 

Power farming is the only answer to such con- 
ditions as these. 

Decrease in Farm Population 

The standard of intelligence of farmers, no 
matter of what nationality, is directly related to 
the income derived from farming as compared 
with that derived from other occupations. If 
farming is permitted as is now the case, to be- 
come less profitable per capita, in comparison with 



other occupations, it is inevitable that the profes- 
sion will be gradually given over to persons less 
intelligent, less efficient and less progressive than 
those now occu]i.ying farms. 

The increase in farm tenantry while not entirely 
attributable to this cause is partially so. It is safe 
to say that the 1920 cen.sus will show as did that 
of 1910, that a number of corn and wheat states 
have an actual loss in farm population. By some 
authorities, and particularly on the part of a 
somewhat superficial press, much hue and cry has 
been raised over this fact. Some of it is justified. 
That loss of rural population caused by a narrow 
and meager social life, insufficient and badly 
managed country schools, causing the younger 
generation to leave the farm for the city, is indeed 
something to cause genuine alarm. 



Power Farming 



But a sounder analysis of the decrease will show 
that in reality the loss in farm population is sim- 
ply an indication that the new age of power farm- 
ing has begun to show its first results. The pe- 
culiar virtue of improved farm machines, a virtue 
tliat increases in extent the more completely it is 
embraced, is that it enables one man to do the 
work that required three under the older system. 
In addition the partial success of power farming 
has enabled a number of the more elderly farmers 
to retire and has, by the same token, led other 
farmers to seek newer areas westward toward the 
Pacific. All these signs indicate fundamentally 
sound economic progress and a satisfactory ad- 
justment of the farmer's profession to the de- 
mands of the new industrial era. 




Confinuous 
plowing at ^, 
' ^amc'^ depth 




Deep and 
Varied plowing 



Incrensed prndiietimi demands deep plowing, not a mere "skinnine" of the top siifraoe and the creation of a hard pan 



CHAPTER VI 

Tractor Facts 



The New Age 

The Capper Farm Press thruout this study of 
the tractor wishes to emphasize above all else, one 
general fact. It advocates the tractor and its ex- 
tended use because it believes that the farmer of 
the present is coming more and more to use power 
farming and because it believes that the farming 
of the future will be almost entirely power per- 
formed. The immediate need of the world today 
is for increased production. Increased production 
demands an extended and a quicker as well as a 
more consistent power than that supplied by the 
already depleted man labor and horse power. 
Tractor farming is, therefore, a step in the higher 
economic evolution of the age. Viewed from this 
point the mere sale of tractors is incidental. It 
is fully recognized that the horse has its place 
and will continue to fill it but he has limits just as 
clearly defined, beyond which it is bad economy 
and inhumane to employ him. 

Tractors Not Perfect 

Likewise it is just as clearly recognized that the 
tractor is not a perfect instrument. Like the steam 
engine, the automobile or any other ])iece of mech- 
anism that has today attained its degree of per- 
fection, the tractor must suffer various evolu- 
tions of type before it approaches its maximum 
efficiency. Even now it is so efficient that no 
longer is it a question of whether the tractor is 
practicable but which is the proper size and type 
to buy. Of course there still remain many diffi- 
culties to be solved, various technical problems 
that involve not only the application of the power 
but the generation of that power itself. But such 
mechanical imperfections are not insurmountable. 
The maximum thermatic values of the various 
fuels are fast being utilized and stabilized. When 
farmers' experience under the widely varied 
climatic and soil conditions of the wheat — corn 
belt is finally analyzed, the tractor will have ap- 
proached its practical ideal of standardization. 

Tractor Improvement 

Great jirogress has already been made in simpli- 
fication, and flexibility by tractor manufacturers, 
not only because they recognize that it is for their 
own economy and convenience but also because 
the more quickly comes standardization, the 
quicker and wider will be the sale of machines. 
The last four years has seen the coming of the 
medium and small tractor, itself an efective stimu- 
lation to broader power farming. Such an ex- 
tension marks the gradual invasion of power 
farming, as formerly practiced only in the most 
"extensive" farms with the larger steam tractor, 



in o the domain of the medium and smaller farm. 
In other words the demand of the farmers them- 
selves has forced upon the manufacturer the 
necessity of quantity production ; this necessity is 
already being answered in no uncertain terms by 
a half dozen manufacturers. 

That the tractor is fast being pushed toward a 
more jiraetical efficiency is shown by the number- 
les-; small-tractor manufacturers that have come 
ujion the market within the last two years, each 
offering some one or more features tending to 
make the tractor cheaper, a more flexible and 
more efficient farm machine. To be sure many of 
these machines will disappear thru lack of proper 
financing ; many more in the test of actual farm 
use will betray their mechanical shortcomings. But 
their very presence in the market is an encourag- 
ing sign of inventive interest and a recognition 
that power fai'ming has come to stay. 

How fast the increase in the volume of tractor 
business will be in the next few years is very 
difficult to determine. As before reiterated, 
granted a certain stability in market conditions 
and a continued general prosperity, the principal 
general premise upon which all estimates must 
be made is that of education. 

Education Necessary 

Education must include the farmer, the dealer, 
the manufacturer and remotely the general pub- 
lic. The vehicles of this educational process 
are already in operation. The United States De- 
partment of Agriculture, the various agricultural 
colleges, the farm press of the country, without 
exception, are hammering away on the farmer. 
Dealers and distributors, backed by the manufac- 
turers, are employing various means of propa- 
ganda. But none of these agencies can but admit 
the fact that tractor progress must be a natural 
growth based on "the buying conviction"' that 
follows demonstration in the field. While the 
large majority of all dealers agree with the opin- 
ion of representative tractor owners, opinion var- 
ies only as to the rate of ju'ogress. After all this 
is not so important ; the farmer should not be 
merely "persuaded." His first and even last pur- 
chase of a tractor should be inevitably the result 
of a profound conviction that by so doing he is 
benefiting himself and increasing the stability of 
the profession itself. 

The Farmer a Business Man 

A great deal of disapointment was manifested 
last year by tractor manufacturers in the appar- 
ent lessening of the farm interest in the tractor, 
a fact made very visible by decreasing sales in 




^^rjm 1^;^ ^^ 




Planting, plowing' siiid hsi 

ILLUSTRATION 2S 



many localities. Curiously euough the real 
reason for this was not readily grasped. In the 
first place it is not sufficiently understood that 
in general the attitude of the farmer toward his 
business is that of any far-sighted manvifacturer 
and producer. Especially do the extensive farm- 
ers of the wheat belt regard their investment in 
machinery and other implements, not as some- 
thing temporary but as something that will ulti- 
mately yield a maximum return. 

In other words, an insufficient first return on a 
relatively large amount of capital invested does 
not deter the farmer from making such an invest- 
ment when he sees clearly that the future ivill 
bring an increased and higher average of earnings 
on the original sum invested. By the same token 
it is not generally recognized that the investments 
of farmers in any sort of farm equipment are 
strongly dominated by local crop conditioifs. A 
certain sales executive of a large cheap-priced 
automobile was at a loss recently to explain Mhy a 
certain arbitrary fixage of distribution had been 
exceeded and the demand was greater than the 
supply. He attributed such a fact to the efficiency 
of his own sales methods when, in reality, had he 
taken the trouble to investigate, he would have 
found that an unusual wheat and corn crojD, com- 
bined Avith a successful first season with tractors, 
had made money for these local fai'mers and that 
in consequence his sales of this machine, already 
a reality in the farmers' mind thru judicious and 
long continued advertising campaign in the farm 
papers had leaped beyond the number originally 
estimated. 



The Reverse Process 

By the same token the reverse process of sales 
diminution is well exemplified in the results cited 
by The Farmer in its recent tractor investigation. 
Here it was found that 51 per cent of local tractor 
dealers, upon investigation, discovered that the 
sale of tractors had decreased in the spring of 
1919 because the land had been too wet for plow- 
ing. Forty per cent of the bankers in the three 
states of Minnesota, South Dakota and North Da- 
kota substantiated the opinion of the dealers. 
Over 16 per cent of these same dealers report that 
the next largest factor of farmers' indifference 
was the lack of cash. These last two factors are 
correlative. But the original assumption of both 
manufacturers and distributors had been quite the 
contrary. They had thought sales had declined 
owing to an inherent disinclination of farmers to 
pay a seemingl,y abnormal price in the face of an 
indicated sharp decline in the market. 

The tendency of the farmer is frequently to in- 
vest his crop returns at the moment he gets them 
and this explains the fact that the late spring 
found many farmers without large auiounts of 
ready money. But the principal deduction to 
make and one that eould be substantiated thru 
a study of other local conditions is that the 
farmers' purchasing power is in direct ratio to 
immediate seasonal, soil and climatic conditions. 

Need of Standardization 

Standardization of the tractor will undoubtedly 
come even as it has already arrived in the auto- 




Weather Bureau reports enfor 



the 


need of moisture conservation 


. Uui 


ck plitivin^- :iii4l frequent surfac 


e cultivation ore 


tlal. 


The tractor is a necessary i 

CHARt 29 


lachir 


e for this purpose 





mobile and to a certain extent in the motor truck 
industry . The Society of Automotive Engineers 
is already at work upon the problem but as yet 
has made no definite announcement of its con- 
clusions. 



Governing Factors 



Those factors that will ultimately determine the 
power rating ,the quality and quantity of con- 
struction and the makeup and superficial appear- 
ance of the tractor may be summarized as follows: 

1. As time goes on the test of actual field usage 

will eliminate, as before intimated, many of 
the experimental or "freak" types that are 
already on the market or soon will be. This 
condition is accurately exemplified in the 
evolution of automobile types during the 

past twenty years. 

2. Actual capital and extended financial affilia- 

tions will tend, under our present economic 
system, to eliminate a large number of 
tractor makers. This will not, as is fre- 
quently thought by a fallacious public 
opinion, eliminate tliose tractors of inade- 
quate financial backing but whose mechani- 
cal principles are really sound and practical. 
The tendency of all big industries is to ab- 
sorb unto themselves by legitimate business 
absorption and expansion the best that 
weaker competitors have produced. 

3. The command of materials market by large 

manufacturers will also be a determinant of 
standardization. As the tractor industry 



resolves itself into a relatively small num- 
ber of manufacturers, with production 
schedules keyed to a higher pitch, the raw 
material market tends to become stabilized. 
with the result that buying costs are prac- 
tically the same for all competitors. Stan- 
dardization in the actual manufacture be- 
comes the inevitable next step. 
Selling methods based upon a legitimate de- 
mand. This last point perhaps deserves a 
somewhat extended discussion. 



Selling Methods 



Tlie two elements of buying and manufacturing 
being, therefore, almost automatically regulated, 
the next actual determinant of standardiza- 
tion, wherein some variation may be expected, 
will 1)0 found in the sales policies of the different 
firms. Even these, making all due allowance for 
the personal equation of both the home office and 
the field sales force, tend to become stabilized 
in themselves. 

Ultimately, as has been many times pointed out, 
selling resolves itself into but one soundly econ- 
omic method ; that system which markets its prod- 
uct solely on its own merits as a practical per- 
former; which is produced in response to the na- 
tural needs of supply and demand ; and which dis- 
regards, as being uneconomic and wasteful, any 
sales policy that seeks arbitrarily to market a 
product regardless of merit or demand by the 
mere exploitation of clever advertising and propa- 
ganda. We might point out that the adherence to 



such a sales policy of "natural absorption" is in 
itself inevitable of adoption if sovmd economic 
principles are to be regarded. It tends not only to 
standardize itself but to standardize the whole in- 
dustry. All idiosyncrasies of local likes and dis- 
likes in consumer demand put aside, it is only 
a question of time before the fundamental factors 
of soil, climate and the actual buying power of the 
consumer will determine both the type and price 
as well as the sales methods of any tractor. 

Effects of Standardization 

The discussion of this last phase of the stand- 
ardization process of any product might be con- 
tinued indefinitely. Many economists have 
pointed out that a long drawn out and costly sys- 
tem "of stumbling thru," with cut prices and the 
ruthless elimination of weaker competitors might 
well be avoided by a pooling of all inventive, 
capital and selling resources. This has been done 
to a large extent in the steel industry, to a less 
extent in the automobile trade and to an ap- 
preciable exent in the implement, industry. Of 
course, the excuse for being of our present sys- 
tem is that initiative and personality are con- 
stantly being developed under the stress of com- 
petition and that ultimately a better product is 
evolved. But such a system is costly both to 
the manufacturer in his production and sales and 
ultimately so to the consumer. Any tendency, 
therefore, toward standardization which, while 
not removing the individual spur of originality 
and inventiveness, will tend to simplify and make 
cheaper all steps in the making and selling of 
tractors will be of immense benefit to all con- 
cerned. 

Service 

Yet, in the last analysis, the whole question is 
concerned with that of service. At present the 



very thing which prevents some manufacturers 
from venturing into new territory, and which de- 
ters the farmer from investing in a given tractor 
is precisely the impossibility of giving and receiv- 
ing an adequate repair service. Standardization 
in the process of manufacturing and selling will 
also tend to standardize service. Simplification 
of parts will make a machine not only easy to 
operate but more capable of being repaired by the 
farmer himself. Dealers in parts can be the 
quicker and the more cheaply supplied. It costs 
money to maintain an extensive repair service. 
In itself the existence of such a system may be 
more or less an admission of fundamental weak- 
ness on the part of the machine itself. 

Ultimately the cost of such a service must be 
charged to the buyer of the tractor. It is a much 
better sales argument to offer a machine that can 
be easily repaired either by the farmer himself or 
liy the nearest service dealer. It is commendable 
indeed for a man^ifacturer to be willing to send on 
repair missions a mechanic 40, fiO or 100 miles, but 
it does not have the same force for a sales argu- 
ment as being able to offer a machine so simplified 
and standardized that the need of an expert in 
repairing it is not necessary. 

Inexpert Operators 

It is undoubtedl3' true that probably only 
25 per cent of present farm owners may be con- 
sidered expert operators. An even smaller per 
cent may be characterized as expert repair men, 
but it should be remembered that as the tractor 
market extends and the influence of various trac- 
tor schools, including the free service of the agri- 
cultural colleges, becomes more and more extended 
that the percentage of farmers able to operate and 
repair their own machines will constantly rise. 





CHAPTER VII 

State Standardization 



Some states are recognizing the need for tractor 
legislation. Such legislation aims to protect the 
farmers and to simplify the tremendous confu- 
sion that now exists in the field of tractor specifi- 
cations. It must inevitabl.y force manufacturers 
to standardize rigidly their products. 

For instance, the requirements of the new Ne- 
braska tractor law which recently became effect- 
ive are already having results. 

We quote from a recent number of Farm Im- 
plement News: 

"The law seeks to prevent the sale of experi- 
mental models of tractors, to prevent misrepre- 
sentation in making sales, and to require all trac- 
tor manufacturers to carry a. complete stock of 
repair parts within the state. In general these 
points are essentially those which tractor manu- 
facturers, thru their organizations, have been at- 
tempting to foster. Accurate horse power tests 
have been recognized for some time as a necessary 
feature of the tractor industry. The new law 
may do much in Nebraska toward eliminating in- 
competent machines and toward standardizing 
power ratings so that the Nebraska farmer may 
know exactly the kind and size of machine to pur- 
chase for his needs." 

Tests 

"The results of this legislation may be summed 
up briefly in the following 9 tests and one pro- 
vision : 

(a) Limbering-up run at one-third, two-thirds 
and full load for about 12 hovirs. (b) Brake horse- 
power test at rated load to show whether or not 
the tractor will carry continuously its rated load 
on the belt and to show fuel economy ; duration of 
test, 2 hours, (e) Brake horse-power test at vary- 



ing load to show governor control and fuel econ- 
omy ; time, 1 hour, (d) Brake horse-power test 
at maximum load to determine greatest load trac- 
tor will carry with governor set for rated belt 
load; time, 1 hour, (e) Brake horse power test at 
half load to determine fuel economy ; time, 1 hour. 
(f ) Draw-bar horse-power test at rated load to see 
if the tractor will pull its rated draw-bar load con- 
tinuously on the cinder track, and to determine 
fuel economy; actual running time, 10 hours, (g) 
Draw-bar horse-power test at maximum load to 
determine this load on the cinder track and show 
fuel economy. • (h) Miscellaneous tests will be 
conducted to make observation on any special 
features, (i) Endurance test to detect any fea- 
tures which may give continual trouble. It will 
take a tractor a total of 40 hours to complete these 
tests. 

"The results of these tests must compare favor- 
ably with the advertising matter used by the com- 
pany making the tractor or the machine cannot be 
sold in the state. Furthermore, the manufacturer 
must have adequate supplies of repair parts with- 
in the confines of the state in order that prompt 
I'cplacement service may be rendered." 

But such a law if passed by each state, each 
with its own local variation, might defeat its own 
end. What is really desired is standardization, 
not sectional but national. What is necessary, 
therefore, is not so much state standardization 
tests but a national tractor standard to which all 
tractor manufacturers must conform. But some 
tractor nianufacturers despite the example set for 
them by their automobile confreres seem loath to 
solve the problem of standardization. Unless 
they take command of the situation themselves, 
however, they will be forced to do so by the pas- 
sage of such state laws as Nebraska has already 
in force. 



38 



CHAPTER VIII 



Tractor Repair Service 



One of the facts which greatly influence tractor 
sales with farmers is that M'hich is concerned with 
service. The farmer is a peculiar and interesting 
individual, and an investment represents to him 
something that must be pei-manent and contin- 
uoush' effective. Performance of farm equipment 
must justify the advertisement of the manufactu- 
rers and the claims of the dealer. When these con- 
ditions are not fulfilled and the tractor breaks 
down dissatisfaction is sure to arise. Dissatisfac- 
tion is increased to the everlasting prejudice of 
all parties concerned when the rejjair service is 
neglected or inefficient. At present, the principal 
difficulty seems to be the impossibility of render- 
ing a quick service in the height of the work 
season. 

Either dealers do not carry a large enough 
stock of repair parts and supplies, or there 
is an insufficiency of repair men or the calls are 
so numerous and the distances so great that some 
tractor is sure to be idle when most needed. It 
should be said in passing, however, that a general 
analysis of dealer opinion covering the 16 states 
of the corn and wheat belt shows at least 25 per 
cent of all dealers interviewed declaring them- 
selves ready to render general repair service to 
the full extent of their ability. Even if these fig- 
ares are pretty closely matched with that propor- 
tion of dealers whose contracts from manufac- 
turers require such a service, the fact remains 
that most dealers out of a really sincere desire to 
advance the community are willing to give repair 
service to the limit of their ability. 

Suggestions as to Remedy 

In fact the determining factor that prevents a 
large percentage of dealers from giving a greater 
and wider service is that of absokite physical in- 
ability rather than an unwillingness. 

Various solutions have been suggested such as 
the establishing of central repair stations to over- 
come this difficulty. Some farmers, as well as 
dealers, have expressed the opinion that a mini- 
mum cost basis on all repairs rendered should be 
established thus eliminating "free" calls for 
petty, inconsequential or "cranky" causes. The 
principal objections to the establishment of small 
local central repair stations is their expense and 
the unnecessary duplication of parts requiring ex- 
cessive stocks. Since the time element is the big- 
gest repair factor in the height of the work sea- 
son, some system should be devised that will en- 
able repairs to be made quickly and efficiently. 



A Concrete Plan — ^The Traveling 
Repair Shop 

After an extended investigation and including 
all classes of opinion on the subject, it is the con- 
clusion of the Bureau of Research of The Capper 
Farm Press that the best solution of the question 
lies in the equipment and maintenance by either 
the manufacturer or the dealer of a traveling 
motor truck repair shop for tractors. The idea 
has been worked out by some dealers in England 
with success. The experience of the A. E. F. 
motor transport service further confirms this pro- 
cedure. It is perfectly feasible to mount repair 
shops, sufficient for most ordinary repairs, on a 
heavy type motor truck. Such an arrangement 
was the practice of all the armies in Europe. If 
it can be applied to motor trucks it can likewise 
be applied to tractor service. It should not be 
forgotten in addition that a large majority of 
tractor breakdowns are those which can be rem- 
edied by the replacement of some minor part or 
by the service of a deft mechanic. To meet this 
situation there might be in addition put in opera- 
tion a so-called "flivver service" such as any au- 
tomobile dealer of repute everywhere maintains 
for his tire customers. 

Another Concrete Plan 

II. ( '. Buffington, Jlotor Engineer, Minneapolis 
Steel and Machinery Company, member of the So- 
ciety of Automotive Engineers, as long ago as 
1917 suggested a very practical system of tractor 
service. The outline of his service scheme is 
herewith quoted, as presented by Mr. Buffington 
at the tractor meeting of the Society of the Auto- 
motive Engineers, at Fremont, Nebraska, August 
9, 1917: 

"In order to work out the system, let us take 
one state, North Dakota, for an example, and 
ci-eate a ncAv department. Call it the Dejiart- 
ment of Tractor Service for convenience, with 
headquarters at Bi-smarek. Then let us locate sub- 
quarters, all being geographically situated to 
cover the state effectually. Say, for example, 
Minot for the Northwest, Devil's Lake for the 
Northeast, Dickinson for the Southwest, and 
Sioux Falls for the Southeast. Next, employ ex- 
pert field men, and assign them to certain terri- 
tories. 

"The far-reaching scope and power of a body 
of men .such as might be organized under this 
plan can hardly be realized until we go over a few 
of the items of information that can be gathered. 

"First — The department Avould have an exact 
record of all tractors in the state. 



"Second — The department would know just 
when a tractor is standing idle. 

"Third — The department would have a record 
of farmers handling undeveloped land, land to 
break or seed crops to harvest, such as the season, 
of course, would determine. 

"Fourth — The department would know the ex- 
act date on which a tractor is shipped from the 
factory, which road it would go over, and to 
whom it would be shipped. 

"Fifth — It would be a i)art of the department's 
duties to know why the supplies of fuel, oil, or 
repair parts, are not taken care of promptly. 

"As can readily be seen, there is no limit to the 
possibilities of such a department's service under 
this plan. All the work of gathering the neces- 
sary information can be accomplished without 
waste of time and space." 

Co-operation 

The extent to which some manufactures and 
dealers fail to grasp the necessity of a complete re- 
pair and replacement service for tractor users is 
nowhere better exemplified than in those letters 
of complaint constantly being received by the edi- 
tors of all leading farm journals. The spirit of 
these letters, as well as the editorial attitude, can- 
not be better illustrated than by quoting a char- 
acteristic one, recently received by The Capper 
Farm Press, and its answer. It states its own 
case, and the inference if not the moral is plain: 
free repair service to include necessary replace- 
ment, and realization of the fact that actual field 
tests are more accurate than laboratory ones. 

Tractor Trouble 

"Can you suggest to me what to do with my 
tractor which I bought in the spring of 1916? 
Its weakest point 1 think is its connecting rods 
which have broken three times, and twice the 
crank case was smashed up badly. The company 
of course desires to put the blame on me. One of 
the worst of these smash-ups occurred just 2Yj 
hours after the company's own expert had over- 
hauled the engine and had adjusted the connecting 
rods. Since then I have been careful to keep the 
connecting rods just tight enough, but in spite 
of my special care they fly to pieces. The com- 
pany always refer me to some of their new models 
in their replies. Is there no redress and must 
others like myself who bought tractors of the 
former model pay for the company 's experimental 
tractors?" John W. Yost. 

Huerfano, Colorado. 



The E^ditor's Reply 



"Yon are not the only victim who has had to 
pay for the mistakes in design and construction 
of some of the so-called modern tractors. Some 
companies are so short-sighted that service to a 
purchaser is an entirely secondary matter with 
them. Where the demand exceeds the supply this 
condition is likely to prevail. This of course is 
the situation at present. It is manifest from your 
statement of the facts that the company to which 
you refer in your letter is in such a class. 



"It is needless for me to attempt to point out 
possible difficulties in the operation of your trac- 
tor, for undoubtedly the company has already 
pointed those out to you. Under normal condi- 
tions the instructions given by any company re- 
garding the handling of theii- own make of tractor 
should be followed above all else. 

Change in Designs 

"If I am properly informed, the new type of 
rod put out by this company provides more wear- 
ing surface than formerly, making it impossible to 
make your repairs from their new design. It is 
the practice of some owners when starting, to 
race their motor, with the idea of getting it out 
quickly on kerosene. Where the splash system 
is employed as on your engine, the lubrication may 
not be sufficient at first under such conditions, 
resulting in undue sti'ains on the parts. 

A Mistake in the Foundry 

"It is not infrequent to find one particular part 
continually failing on a machine and this ma.y be 
due to faulty material, faulty design or work- 
manship or faulty heat treatment of the parts. 
The writer is familiar with one manufacturer who 
was at one time having excessive repairs for one 
particular large annular gear on their tractor. 
The repairs became so numerous that had they 
continued it would have resulted in establishing 
a record for the tractor that would have stopped 
its sale entirely. There is little doubt in my mind 
that many farmers paid for such repairs, contrib- 
uting to the experience of the company. Upon 
close investigation it was found that the entire 
difficulty in this instance was in the foundry 
practice as it was at that time. This particular 
tractor now has a very excellent reputation. 

The Manufacturer Should Make 
Good 

' ' Perhaps it may be faulty material or improper 
heat treatment in the case of your rods, but if 
yovi should wish to continue the use of your trac- 
tor, it would seem that the repairs would most 
logically come from the company. If the com- 
pany is not even Avilling to come half way on 
their service, it will eventually become known to 
the trade and react to their own detriment.. Un- 
fortunately if they sho\;ld take an attitude con- 
trary with your own idea, it seems that no redress 
can be had and the honesty of the manufacturer 
will govern. " 

Tractor Training 

But it should be recognized that as a tractor 
gradually passes the experimental stage and be- 
come standardized the necessity of repair service 
will be somewhat lessened. It will still further 
lessen as farmers become more expert oi)erators. 
Probably today 2.5 per cent of farm operators are 
inefficient. Tractor schools, both those main- 
tained as out-and-out institutions of learning, as 
well as so-called "Demonstration Schools" pro- 
vided by various tractor companies and commer- 



40 



cial schools are already having their effect in this 
direction. Consolidated country high schools, too, 
as applied vocational agricultural mechanics be- 
come more and more a part of their curriculum, 
will add their influence in this direction. 

Farm Objections 

There are still many objections to the tractor 
and still a large class of farmers who if not ac- 
tively opposed, are indifferent or skeptical. An 
analysis of these classes of farmers conducted in 
Oklahoma, Kansas, Illinois, Minnesota, North Da- 
kota and South Dakota discloses that the majority 
of those causes which make farmers opposed are 
purely physical ones. The list of the causes com- 
prise : wet fields, too hilly fields, too circum- 
scribed fields, too heavy soil, etc. In another 



class of physical objections are those which in- 
volve : too many types of tractors, too little de- 
veloped horse power in draw-bar work, non- 
flexibility of tractor types, such as slow move- 
ment, inability to turn square corners, too lim- 
ited tractor plows, insufficient repair service, etc. 
It is obvious that the physical dificulties of the 
first named class will gradually disappear as the 
imperfections listed in the second class likewise 
disappear in the process of perfection. There are 
types of tractors today which can be used as suc- 
cessfully on wet land as on up-and-down country. 
Because the tractor was first successfully used to 
break long level stretches of virgin prairie sod, 
and because the tractor itself was a heavy steam 
engine affair, a great many fai'mers still think 
this machine, in its place most efficient, is the only 
type of tractor available. The right kind of edu- 
cation alone can remove such prejudices. 





AVERAGE HOURLY 



Coupled with hea\ 



The tractor 



essfully V 
CHART 



CHAPTER IX 

More Tractor Facts 



Specific Objections 



It may not be unprofitable to consider some 
farmers' objections and the handicaps under 
which the tractor of today works. The need of 
standardization lias already been emphasized and 
the day is not far distant when this must come. It 
not infrequently happens that the ]irospective trac- 
tor owner is completely confused when he seeks 
to study the various tractors now on the market. 
The combination horse-power ratings, rotative 
speeds of both pulley and engine, tractive speed, 
draw-bar pull, 2-cycle as opposed to 4-cycle en- 
gines, caterpillar as opposed to spur-wheel types, 
3-wheel as opposed to 4-wheel, etc.; all these 
things are being set forth in a bedlam of publicity 
and propaganda that serves only to confuse the 
prospective fai-m buyer. 

For instance, there are tractors on the market 
with engine speeds differing from 1,000 to 1,800 
revolutions per minute, forward speeds varying 
from 1 to 7 miles an hour, draw-bar horse-power 
development ranging from 2 to 45, 50 and even 60 
horse-power ratings. Other varying specifications 
make it difficult for any one, unless he is a trained 
automotive engineer, to get head or tail out of the 
jumble. It is this confusion that sometimes makes 
the farmer hesitate to invest his money in a thing 



lie does not fully understand. Tractor advertising 
copy, frequently too technical in its language, in- 
creases the difficulty of the prospective purchaser. 

Preferred Types 

Then there is a wide difference of opinion, de- 
pending somewhat on the community, as to what 
is the best form and type of tractor for all-round 
farm usage. In the Northern spring wheat belt 
about 70 to 80 per cent favor a 2-plow or S-jilow 
machine with a very respectable number, still de- 
pendent on the community, favoring the 3- or 4- 
plow machine, particularly the latter. This opin- 
ion of the farm users is substantiated pretty 
closely by the combined opinions of dealers, 
bankers and non-owners. In contrast to this, the 
type favored farther to the South, particularly in 
Kansas and Oklahoma, is the 4-plow machine ; 
altho the preference is influenced according to 
the crop that is being considered. Corn growers 
favor the light rather than the heavy type. 

Difference of Opinion 

There is also a wide difference of opinion as 
to what is the most advantageous and practicable 
way to operate, whether by one man operating 




itii of this 



II^bUSTRATION 31 



both the tractoi' and the following machine, or 
a two-man team. There is also the question of 
whether it is better to operate the implement from 
the seat of the former or the seat of the latter. 
The majority of opinion thruout the 16 states 
favors, however, the one-man operator and the 
point of operation from the seat of the tractor. It 
is rather interesting to note that non-owners are 
of the opinion that it is easier to operate from the 
seat of equipment than from the seat of the trac- 
tor. This in itself is an interesting psychological 
fact; it betrays that state of mind that naturally 
favors the thing with which it is most familiar. 
Another indication shows some farmers are dis- 
satisfied with present types offered and also wish 
to postpone investing until a machine of the par- 
ticular horse power, weight, etc., that their indi- 
vidual fancj' desires is put on the market. By 
this same theory there is a wide variety of opinion 
as to what types of tractors are suitable for the 
local soil conditions in certain particular commun- 
ities. In this latter ease it will be usually found that 
the feeling which favors one type or one make 
over another finds its origin in that peculiar psy- 
chology always characl eristic of any mass action 
in a rural locality. A certain community favors a 
certain type of machine because the first machines 
used were brought in by the most prominent and 
progressive farmers. The same phenomenon has 
been before frequently noticed and has greatly 
influenced certain dealer methods in the sale and 
distribution of certain makes of automobiles and 
farm trucks. 

Which Fuel 

There is still a difference of opinion as to which 
is the better fuel, gasoline or kerosene. Approxi- 
mately 55 to 65 per cent of tractor owners in the 
16 wheat and corn states are today using kerosene 
for tractor fuel with fully 55 per cent of this 
group agreed that not only is kerosene cheaper 
but, on the whole, just as efficient in view of its 
lesser price, as gasoline. In the past there has 
been a good deal of discussion as to the actual 
practicability of kerosene. Even today a majority 



of tractor owners, including those who own kero- 
sene machines, are of the opinion that this fuel 
causes more minor troubles of operating and a 
greater number of minor repairs. 

Gasoline vs. Kerosene 

The jirincipal troubles and deficiencies are: less 
actual number of hours of work with kerosene 
than gasoline before it is necessary to drain the 
oil siipply and fill with more oil in order to pre- 
vent lubrication troubles ; more frequent cleaning 
of sparkplugs; more frequent overheating; more 
frequent difficulty with the fuel due to a small 
water content ; and certain other minor difficul- 
ties that range from trouble with the bearings and 
pistons to the excessive carbonization and crack- 
ing of spark plugs. As a matter of fact, however, 
the balance of efficiency between the two fuels 
is pretty evenly maintained. If gasoline develops 
slightly more power and is cleaner to handle it is 
also more expensive in proportion to the amount 
of power it develops. However, it is also worthy 
of note that the trend of tractor development in 
so far as fuels are concerned, will be more and 
mcu'e in the direction of a heavier essence. The 
days is not far distant, owing to the limitation of 
fuel sup])lies, when the heavy base and crude oils 
must be used. Of course, as this becomes neces- 
sary changes in engine design will keep pace with 
the fuel necessities. 

Attached Implements 

Still another consideration that enters into the 
discussion is that which concerns the kind and 
type of machine, including kinds of attached im- 
plements, that should.be used. In the very be- 
ginning of tractor usage, and even today, there 
has been the natural tendency of many farmers 
rather than to abandon entirely old implements 
to use them under more or less make-shift con- 
ditions with the new power unit. In the long run 
this is not true economy altho, owing to limited 
capital, it is generally impossible for the farmer 
making his first investment in the ti'actor to 




iluable 

ILLUSTRATION 32 



abandon entirely his former horse-drawn imple- 
ments. But at least the plow and the disc should 
be made for the tractor and if possible the binder 
hitch, harrow and drill should also especially fit 
the new power unit. 

A complete set of special tractor implements for 
the farmer who could afford it would include be- 
sides those mentioned the following : carrying 
truck, corn harvester, self-binder, 2-row cultivator, 
breaking-plow, drag, packer, clod crusher, 4-row 
corn cultivator, etc. For belt work it would in- 
clude wood saw. ensilage cutter, feed mill, shred- 
der, seeding and husking machine, potato digger, 
well driller, small stone crusher for cement work, 
small corn or wheat thresher, portable saw mill 
and other minor uses according to particular con- 
ditions. 

The Dealer 

There is also an uncertainty in the tractor sit- 
uation which sometimes operates to cause jealousy 
in a given community and frequently limits com- 
plete distribution. This is because there exists a 
considerable difference of opinion as to whether 
a tractor should be sold by the already-established 
implement man, the gai-age keeper, the automobile 
dealer, or a specialist by himself. It is the opin- 
ion, however, of most Southwestern farmers, an 
opinion strongly corrobated by the farmers of the 
Northwest, that the regular implement dealer, by 
reason of his greater and larger familiarity with 
farm machinery and the needs of his farm com- 
munity ,is best fitted to handle the distribution of 
tractors. 

Again the Dealer 

In speaking of the position of the tractor dealer 
a word should be said as to the peculiar place he 
occupies in any farm community. Since 1850 
there has been a gradual change in his responsi- 
bilities thru the encouragement of the implement 
manufacturers and their long-time credits. 



Complete Selling Service 

Tlie live dealer realizes the responsibility of his 
jiosition and undertakes to inform his clientele of 
precisely what he can offer in the way of machines 
and of subsequent repair service. Backed by 
jiroper selling organization in the factory, and 
backed in addition by a judicious advertising 
campaign localized in the newspapers and cen- 
tered in the great farm papers of the corn and 
nheat belt itself, no tractor dealer need fear the 
problem of local sales. There is no limit in the 
power and influence he can wield especialh' if 
either he or the manufacturer takes advantage of 
The Complete Selling Plan originated and de- 
veloped by Tlie Capper Farm Press. The Com- 
plete Selling Plan puts territory, carefully an- 
alyzed for all its trade possibilities, directly into 
the hands of the dealer. It also opens up new 
tractor territory for the manufacturer, it develops 
every phase of a selling campaign, analyzes terri- 
tory and secures distributors and dealers. 

Proved by Experience 

The influence of such a dealer-and-farm paper 
co-operation is proved by the experience of Kan- 
sas where analysis show that tractors have been 
sold more heavily in its so-called wheat belt than 
in other portions of the state. The reason for this 
is not only because the tractor is especially 
adaptable to wheat farming, but also because in 
this particular wheat belt there has long been 
carried on, thru the Complete Selling Plan, a cam- 
[laign of education among farmers and dealers. 
The farmer has been made to see by actual demon- 
stration just how the tractor is the ideal instru- 
ment for increasing wheat production. The agri- 
cultui-al colleges and experiment stations, ably 
seconded by the farm papers, have consistently 
preached the need of deep and early plowing, of 
the quick planting of large areas at seeding time, 
of fast harvesting when the grain is ripe. "While 




s\v»th and is [iiilli'd by 
en operate this outfit 



10-::0 kero- 



ILLUSTRATION 33 



these same arguments could have been applied 
under the same general conditions in Illinois or 
the Dakotas, the fact remains that the sale of 
tractors to Kansas wheat farmers has been the re- 
sult of a deliberate campaign in education. 

Attitude of Country Bankers 

One of the general objections frequently voiced 
both by prospective tractor users and by dealers 
is that country bankers are adverse to lending 
money for the purpose of buying tractors. While 
this statement may be true in certain instances, an 
investigation in several parts of the wheat belt 
discloses quite a different attitude of mind. 

Oklahoma Opinion 

In a recent trade investigation conducted by 
The Capper Farm Press in Oklahoma during the 
summer of 1919, every country banker of conse- 
quence in a territory lying just west of Okla- 
homa City, and comprising some of the best agri- 
cultural land in the state, was interviewed on the 
tractor question. Of the 35 bankei's interviewed 
only one said that he would not lend money to a 
farmer of established probity in order that he 
might purchase a tractor. Several said that they 
would prefer to lend money for the purchase of 
a tractor than for the purchase of an automobile 
or a truck. The one banker who was adverse to 
lending for a tractor was a farmer himself and 
financially interested in the raising of draft 
horses. The inference is plain. 

Increased Sales 

In several widely separated towns in this terri- 
tory it was found that local tractor sales in the 
summer of 1919. as contrasted with previous 
years, had increased from 60 to 300 per cent. Ten 
tractors were sold in one morning in a large 
wheat belt center ; on another occasion eight trac- 
tors were sold in almost as manj^ minutes. Both 
the farmer and the dealer were frank to attribute 



this notable increase in tractor sales to the fact 
that increased crop prodiiction demanded increased 
farm power and that the principle of early plow- 
ing, in July or August, as advocated by John 
Fields these many .years thru the columns of The 
Oklahoma Parmer, Oklahoma section of The Cap- 
per Farm Press, Avas at last being definitel.y recog- 
nized. In general the tractor demand, with one 
or two exceptions ,was greater than the supply. 
In passing, it is perhaps interesting to note that 
the reduction in price of two well-known tractors, 
as well as the first marketing in that vicinity of 
another small-unit, low-priced tractor visibly stim- 
ulated the sales. Owing to the excessive heat and 
the loss of a number of horses in the 1919 harvest, 
it is not infrequent to see convoys of five to seven 
wagons, tractor-drawn, being hauled to the ele- 
vators thruout Central Oklahoma. 

Northwestern Experience 

In a very thoro investigation of the Northwest- 
ern tractor market conducted by The Farmer, St. 
Paul, Minnesota, over 55 per cent of certain coun- 
try bankers, leading representatives of their pro- 
fession in the three states of I\Iinnesota, South 
Dakota and North Dakota, were of the opinion 
that the tractor had been a profitable investment 
for tractor owners. Likewise 68 per cent of the 
bankers were willing to lend money for the pur- 
chase of a tractor. These bankers just mentioned 
were not included in the whole investigation. 

But the 704 bankers that reported on all the 
queries of the questionnaire in the entire tractor 
survej' — men vitally interested in the advancement 
of their customers — reported over 85 per cent 
strong in their willingness to lend money to farm- 
ers for the purchase of tractors. Over 66 per cent 
would go further and directly encourage responsi- 
ble farmers to make such purchases. Forty-five and 
two-tenths per cent Avere of the expressed opinion 
that the farmer who needs a tractor is justified 
in borrowing money where he can if he lacks cash. 
Seventy-six per cent were certain that tractor 
farmers would eventually, under the adoption 



of new cultivation methods, be forced to fit their 
farms, by enlargement and otherwise, to develop 
the more economically the entire potential possi- 
bilities of the tractor. 

Such adjustments generally mean an expansion 
of laud ; such expansion requires new capital. The 
banker stands ready to meet such an emergency. 
In the same community over 85 per cent of all 
tractor owners reported that their implements 
were a profitable investment. Over 66 i^er cent re- 
ported that thru their tractors and their ability to 
do custom work they had been enabled to earn on 
an average of $774.50 extra in addition to that 
profit secured by working for themselves. All of 
these figures check very closely with those ob- 
tained in the Oklahoma investigation altho prob- 



ably slightly lower than the figures for Kansas 
where, as has been previously explained, tractor 
interest and the tractor market have been more 
highly developed than elsewhere in the wheat belt. 

Tlic (Jualitv of Opinion 

In considering the figures it should be borne in 
mind that a banker reports for a community which 
roughly includes the entire trade radius of his 
particular town, while the individual farmer re- 
ports only for himself or at the best his immediate 
neighborhood. However, in every instance the 
relative relation of the banker's and the farmer's 
figures indicates the same general tendencies. 




46 



CHAPTER X 



Tractor Advertising 



Yet there is one more consideration that affects 
both the processes of standardization and the serv- 
ice policy. This is advertising. In the beginning 
of the game, advertising as a determinant factor 
in the marketing of a product was more or less 
subsidiary or auxiliary. Especially was this true 
of many of the older and long established products 
where the demand had already been created and 
where consequently advertising was not neces- 
sary to CTiltivate buyer interest. So it is even to- 
day in many of the older industries. One of the 
last things they consider in the placing and selling 
of the given product is the size and amount of 
the advertising schedule. 

How Advertising Helps 

But with the growth of advertising to the pro- 
portions it now assumes, with its own highly in- 
tricate method of stimulating merchandise de- 
mand, any new industry must reckon from the 
very beginning upon that assistance which adver- 
tising will lend in the successful marketing of its 
product. First of all, the process is generally to 
create a national or a somewhat extended local- 
ized interest in the new goods. After that comes a 
campaign to reinforce a closely co-ordinated dis- 
tributor and retail organization. The last step 
is to continue stimulation of consumer demand by 
a constant re-affirmation of the particular vir- 
tues of the given product so that the consumer 
feels, thru habitual and self-inculcated conviction, 
that the particular product is indispensable to him 
and his comfort and profit. Many examples might 
be cited to illustrate this. But as yet advertising 
as applied to the tractor industry has not gone 
beyond the first two stages and in many instances 
has scarcely passed the first. 

Creating Consumer Demand 

The principle of creating consumer demand by 
the use of those media most closely in touch with 
the particular classes of people to be sold is well 
recognized. Perhaps the best analogy for the 



tractor manufacturer is that furnished by the au- 
tomobile trade. Here is an industry still young 
enough and still largely dependent for the ex- 
tension of its products upon a continued stimula- 
tion and development of new consumer prospects. 
Hence the tendency in tractor advertising should 
be to concentrate upon those media which appeal 
most directly and with the greatest authority to 
the class that will be ultimately the biggest buyer 
of the machines. The automobile industry is al- 
ready following this policy of concentration and 
it is not infrequent to find certain individuals in 
the list of automobile manufacturers staking their 
entire play for consumer demand upon a closely 
interrelated group of high-class magazines and 
newspapers. 

Concentrated Media 

It is, therefore, inevitable that the tractor in- 
dustry must concentrate upon certain newspapers 
with a wide rural influence, less upon imi)lement 
and trade journals and more and more upon cer- 
tain farm papers. 

The Best Media 

The final selection among these last named 
periodicals must inevitably include such a medium 
as The Capper Farm Press. Here is a group of 
papers that represents exactly the ideal field for 
tractor advertising. Its circulation is confined 
exclusively to the so-called tractor belt; its var- 
ious sections are the recognized voices of author- 
ity among over a million farm readers ; it is in- 
fallible iipon all matters of crop advice and crop 
procedure. 

As a whole The Capper Farm Press comes very 
near to fulfilling every ideal condition of a tractor 
medium. It offers a long-e.stablished reputation 
in the exact geographical region and among the 
very class most likely and capable of buying 
tractors ; furthermore it possesses the strongest 
sort of reader concentration and enjoys the most 
intimate kind of reader confidence. 



The Buying Power of the Farmer and 
the Selling Power of the Farm Paper 
are the two potential factors which 
ought to be kept everlastingly in mind. 



47 



CONCLUSION 



The foregoing Tractor Analysis has been com- 
piled with but one purpose in view : service. It 
has long been the ideal of The Capper Farm Press, 
thru its Bureau of Research and other depart 
ments, to present accurately the soundest body of 
Middle Western farm opinion. In divers ways and 
thru various agencies, this presentation has in the 
past been of service not only to the farmer but al- 
so to that great body of mei-chants and manufac- 
turers that are directly dependent on the agri- 
cultural market for the sale of their products. 

This present volume, therefore, seeks to con- 
tinue a tradition already established and already 
confirmed not only by the success of The Capper 
Farm Press in interpreting the agricultural prac- 
tice of some 1,100,000 farm subscribers in the Mid- 
dle West but, in addition, further substantiated b.y 
the multiplicity of its advertisers who have long 
recognized the peculiar and unique advantages of- 
fered by The Capper Farm Press in reaching the 
great and constantly growing farm market of the 
corn and wheat states. 

In this last respect it may not be immodest to 
state that The Capper Farm Press has peculiarly 
justified the confidence of tractor manufacturers, 
distributors and dealers. It hopes that this pres- 
ent analysis will not only reaffirm a reputation 
already established but will e.xtend it still further 
to meet the demands of an increased market and 
even greater prosperity. 



Farm papers in general and The Capper Farm 
Press in particular are more than mere magazines 
that periodicall.y represent a mass of miscellaneous 
information that more or less concerns farmers 
and farming. The right sort of agricultural paper 
aims to be more than informative ; it seeks to in- 
culcate facts ; it endeavors to mould opinion ; it 
undertakes to shape ideas and to direct their sub- 
sequent expression in terms of action. The var- 
ious regional sections of The Capper Farm Press 
fulfil the requirements of the right sort of farm 
papers. They are absolutely dedicated to the 
principle of the greatest good for the greatest 
number of farmers. The Capper Farm Press is 
therefore a directive as well as a causative force 
in the socialization and economic life of the Mid- 
West farmers. 

The Capper Farm Press has upheld fi'om the 
very beginning in editorials and articles, the cause 
of tractors and power farming. It has supported 
every progressive project that promised the right 
kind of returns with the greatest subsequent 
economy to the farmer. It has done this not only 
because it has believed that the socialization of 
the countryside is more quickly accomplished thru 
the medium of power farming but also because it 
has believed that along with pure-bred stock and 
scientific crop culture, tractor methods are the 
inevitable attributes of progressive farming. 




48 



APPENDIX 



There is appended certain statistical informa- 
tion relating to the agricultural resources of the 
16 Capper states, as follows : 

Classified statistical data that shows the extent 
and numbers, disti-icts, dollars and cents valua- 
tion, etc., of the 16 corn and wheat states, better 
known as "The Capper States." Under this head 
are cited, in every available instance, figures up 
to and including 1919, compiled either from the 
official reports of the various federal and state 
departments or thru original investigations car- 
ried out by the Bureau of Research of The Capper 
Farm Press. 

Value of Capper Territory 

To give one a little idea of the values of these 
states the Bureau of Research, The Capper Farm 
Press has made a careful compilation of the value 
of all farm property in the sixteen Capper States 
from the 1910 Census. From these figures it will 
be seen that the vahie of all farm property in the 
sixteen Capper States is over nine billion dollars 
more than that of all the other tliirty-two states. 
In these sixteen states 2,669,905 farmers have an 
average value for their farms of $10,247. In the 
thirty-two other states there are 3,691,597 farmers 
with an average per farm of $6,324. 

These figures and graphs are merely given to 
show the intrinsic worth of such a territory as the 
sixteen Capper States. 

VALUE OF ALL FARM PROPERTY* 

U. S. Census 1910: $40,991,499,090; increase of 
100.57, , 1900-1910. 

16 Capper States: $25,017,926,835; average in- 
crease of 147.07f , 1900-1910. 

The value of all farm property in the sixteen 
Capper States at the 1910 Census was over nine 
billion dollars more than that of all the other 
thirty-two states. Watch the 1920 Census! 

Capper Value of all % Increa.se No. of Av. Val. 

States. Farm Prop'ty. 1900-10. Farms, per Farm. 

Kansas .$2.0.39,380,! IIO 1.36.0 177,841 $11,470 

Nebraska. . . 2.079,818.647 178.1 129,678 16,038 

Missouri . . . 2,052,917,488 98.7 277.244 7,405 

Oklahoma . . 918.198,882 230.9 190,192 4,828 

Texas 2.218,645,104 130.5 417,770 5,311 

Iowa 3,745,860.544 104.2 217,044 17,259 

Illinois 3.905,321.075 94.3 251,872 15,.505 

Indiana. . . . 1.809.135.238 84.9 215,485 8,396 

Minnesota. . 1,476,411,737 87,3 156,137 9,456 

Wisconsin. .. 1.413,118,785 74.1 177427 7,978 

So. Dakota . 1,166.096,980 291.0 77,644 15.018 

No. Dakota . 074,814,200 281.9 74.360 13.109 

Arkansas. . . 400,089.308 120.5 214.678 1.864 

Colorado.... 491.471,806 205.2 46.170 10,645 

Wyoming. . . 167,189,081 147.8 10.987 15,217 

New Mex . . . 159.447,900 196.6 35,676 4,469 

* 1910 Census figures ; vol. 5, p. 82. 

Value Farm Products 

Prom the Crop Reporter issued by the United 
States Department of Agriculture we find the 



total value of farm products including the live- 
stock and poultry for the sixteen Capper States 
total $12,308,355,000. In the thirty-two other 
states it totals $11,279,059,000. 

This simply means that the two million farmers 
in the sixteen Capper States have twelve billion 
dollars to spend while the three million farmers 
in the thirty-two other states have eleven billion 
dollars to spend. 

VALUE OF ALL CROPS, 1918 

Crop Reporter 

U. S. Dept. of Agriculture 

Value of all crops United States, $14,090,769,000. 

Total value farm products includes value of 
livestock and poultry products. (Crop Reporter, 
U. S. Dept. of Agriculture.) 

Value Crops, 
Value Live Stock 

All Crops. and Poultry 

Kansas .$424,298,000 .'j;854,153,000 

Nebraska 390,944,000 830,064.000 

Missouri 483,4.36,000 066,077,000 

Oklalioma 264,502,000 493,873,000 

Texas 895,651,000 • 1.173,070,000 

Iowa 821.920,000 1.010,052,000 

Illinois 879,679,000 1,416,866,000 

Indiana .507,563,000 864,793,000 

Minnesota 562.545,000 924,-394,000 

Wisconsin 417,888,000 780.256,000 

So. Dakota 438.880.000 696,847,000 

No. Dakota .375.601.000 539,197,000 

Arkansas 331,479.000 470,517.000 

Colorado 1.53.6.39,000 .3.3O.6!>i.00O 

Wyoming 61.7.52.000 200.108.000 

New Mexico 40.711.000 151,397,000 

Total $6,849,488,000 $12,308,355,000 

Total value of all crops, livestock and poultry. 
Capper States, $12,308,355,000. 

Total value same items, 32 other states, $11,- 
279,059,000. 

Total value of all crops, livestock and poultry 
in U. S., $23,587,414,000. 

Sixteen Capper States, 33% of the U. S., have 
52.18% of the total value of all farm resources. 

Thirty-two other states, 66% of the U .S., have 
47.82% of the total values of all farm resources. 

RELATIVE INCREASE IN VALUE OF ALL 
FARM PROPERTY, 1900-1910. 

Value 19no. 

Ratio Mf iinrt-ase, U. S.. 1900-1910. 



Ratio of increase. IS Capper states, 1900.1910. 



The Bread Basket of America 

Without bread man would starve. The super- 
structure of civilization rests on the wheat field. 



The Capper States produce nearly three-fourths 
of the entire wheat crop of the United States. In 
every important item of agricultural production 
of the temperate zone, this great territory stands 
pre-eminent, without a rival, tlu' woi'Ul ai'ound. 

WHEAT, 1918 VALUES 
(U. S. Monthly Crop Reporter, Feb. 1, 1919.) 

The 16 Capper States produce nearly three- 
fourths of all the wheat of the U. S. 

16 Capper States total .$1,332,731,000; 32 other 
states total $541,892,000. 

Capper States. Bushels. Value. 

Kansas lOi.OOS.OOCI .f 202.!»96,000 

Nebraska 43,141.0110 ,S4.!»8.S.OOO 

Missouri 58.154,000 lOs.llOO.OOO 

Oklahoma 32,S!J!>.000 00.127,000 

Texas 8,920.000 lit.lTS.OOO 

Iowa ii»,G50.ooo ::J!i.:;oo.ooo 

Illinois U(».!)!I1.00() 12C..S(11.000 

Indiana 4!I.427.000 102.s0s.o00 

Minnesota 70.710.000 102.(J0S.ootl 

Wisconsin !»,s37.00O 20,100.000 

So. Dakota 71..305.000 141.890.000 

No. Dakota 101.010.000 205.050,000 

Arkansas 3,048,000 0,389.000 

Colorado 13,335,000 20,003,000 

Wyoming O.COO.OOO 12.474.000 

New Mexico 3.334.000 7,001.00 

The Corn Family 

Corn, by the departed philosophy of yesterday, 
meant "more wliiskey." It has always meant 
'more hogs and more properity. " The corn belt 
of the world is in the sixteen Capper States, and 
besides, the greatest acreage and the greatest yield 
of the grain sorghums are in the southwest states 
of the Capper territory. 

CORN AND GRAIN SORGHUMS, DEC. 1, 1918, 
VALUES 

(U. S. Monthly Crop Reporter.) 

The sixteen Capper States produce nearly two- 
thirds of all the corn of the United States. 

Sixteen Capper States total .$2,184,722,000; 32 
other states total $1,440,678,000. 

Capper States. Bushels. Value. 

Kansas 03,630,000 .$95,009,000 

Nebraska 123,080.000 157,550.000 

Missouri i:;:;.s(lo,oon 101.420. OOO 

Oklahoma 39.(;:!5.0(io (;2,8(;5,()oo 

Texas ;i.';.075,0(io 157.552.000 

Iowa 375.i;-j4.oon 45s, 201.000 

Illinois .•',51.450.0110 421.740.000 

Indiana 1(;9,.5.54.000 2Ol,70!i.000 

Minnesota 110,000.000 122.100.000 

Wisconsin 09,538,000 90,399.000 

So. Dakota 108.188.000 119.007.000 

No. Dakota 9.190.000 11,955,000 

Arkansas 35.100.000 0.3.180.000 

Colorado 12,815.000 17,492.000 

Wyoming 1.000.000 1,400,000 

New Mexico 7,832,000 13,023,000 



The Kingdom of the Hog 

Corn, alfalfa and hogs are the bulwark of the 
Mid-West farmer's prosperity. The relation to 
tractor farming is obvious. The Capper territory 
has ninety-five per cent of the Poland China hogs 
(the most widely distributed breed) of the United 
States. 



PUREBRED POLAND CHINA HOGS IN THE 
UNITED STATES 1918 (1) 

Of this most widely distributed and representa- 
tive breed of hogs, the sixteen Capper States have 
nineteen-twentieths of all in the United States. 

Sixteen Capjjer States 371,760, 95% of all in 
U. S.; 32 other states 19,480, 5% of all in U. S. 

Capper States. No. Head. Per Cent. 

Kansas 48,8.80 13.14* 

Nebraska 09,720 18.75* 

Missouri 113,000 30.55* 

Oklahoma 22,120 5.95* 

Texas 19,960 5,36* 

Iowa 07,080 18,04* 

Illinois 9,300 2.50* 

Indiana 2.040** 

Minnesota 1.600** 

Wisconsin 680** 

So. Dakota 5,600 1.50* 

No. Dakota 480** 

Arkansas 5.4.S0 1.40* 

Colorado 2,720** 

Wyoming 240** 

New Mexico 200** 

* Percentage of all in U. S. 

** Less than one per cent of total for U. S. 

(1) Estimate based on registrations for 1918 in the 
.smaller of two Poland China records. 

hiiportant Changes in Crops in 
1920 

Reduced acreage of winter wheat indicates a 
record acreage of corn and other cultivated crops 
in 1920. 

The official estimate of the U. S. Bureau of 
T'rop Estimates (Dec. 15, 1919) shows a decrease 
of 23.2 per cent of winter wheat sown for 1920 
crop as compared with the seeding for 1919. This 
leaves 11,719,000 acres in the United States on 
which wheat was grown in 1919 which will be 
devoted to other crops. 

This indicates abnormally large planting of corn 
in the spring of 1920 and probably a large increase 
in acreage utilized for other cultivated crops. In- 
crease in hay crops will probably be normal as 
these crops for the most part require a year for 
preliminary seeding. Alfalfa acreage shows a 
nonnal increase. 



50 



POTENTIAL MARKET FOR TRACTORS 



IN THE 16 CAPPEK STATES 



CAPPER 

STATES Number 

Kansas ( 1 ) 40,225 

Nebraska ( 1 ) 33,545 

Missouri ( 3 ) 37,125 

Oldahoma (2) 22,500 

Texas (3 ) 35,221 

Iowa (1) 4.5,syy 

Illinois (1 ) 41.259 

Indiana ( 1 ) :il,3?A 

Minnesota ( 1 1 4S,4G0 

Wisconsin ( 1 ) Gl,517 

South Dalvota ( I ) 24,870 

North Dalvota ( 1 ) 20,405 

Arkansas (3 ) 11,012 

Colorado (2 ) 13,790 

Wyoming (2) 4,205 

New Mexico ( 3 ) 8,647 

Total 4.89,620 



Every farm of 100 acres or more operated by the owner 
is a potential market for a tractor. No. tenant operated 
farms are included in above computation. 

(1) Potential sales estimated as 70% of all farms over 
101) acres operated by owners. 

(2) Potential sales estimated as 00% of all faiTus over 
100 acres operated by owners. 

(3) I'otential sales estimated as 50% of all farms over 
100 acres operated by owners. 

P.asic figures from U. S. Census, 1910. 

Estimated increase in potential market for tractors due 
to increased acreage under cultivation 10 per cent of 
figures given in table. 

Compiled by Bureau of Research THE CAPPER 
FARM PRESS. 



TRACTORS IN THE UNITED STATES 

STATE EXPERIMENT STATION ESTIMATES JANUARY 1, 1920. 



CAPPER 
STATES 



Othef 
Tractors States 



Tractors 



Other 
States 



Tractors 



Kansas 8,689 

Nebraska 7,292 

Missouri 8,368 

Oklahoma 795 (1) 

Texas 10.000 

Iowa 9,000 

Illinois 12,000 (2) 

Indiana 1,852 (1) 



Minnesota 



Alabama 400 

Arizona 23 ( 1 ) 

California 15,000 

Connecticut 47 ( 1 ) 

Delaware 100 

Florida 71 ( 1 1 

Georgia 543 ( 1 ) 

Idaho 262 (1) 



Wisconsin 2,800 

So. Dakota 1,527 (1) 

No. Dakota 2,137 (1) 

Arkansas 336 (1) 

Colorado .525 (1) 

Wyoming 186 (1) 

New Mexico 375 



1,575 (1) Kentucky 1.800 



Louisiana 2,000 

Maine 400 

Maryland 1.000 

Massaclnisetts 91 ( 1 1 

Michigan 945 ( 1 ) 

Mississippi 377 ( 1 ) 

Montana 80S ( 1 ) 



Nevada 

New Hampshire 
New .lersey . . . 

New York 

No. Carolina . . 

Ohio 

Oregon 

Pennsylvania . 
Rhode Island . , 
So. Carolina . . 
Teiniessee .... 

Utah 

Vermont 

Virginia 

Washington . . . 
West Virginia . 



■ 19 (1) 
. 23 (1) 
. 107 (1) 
.1,210 (1) 
. 452 (1) 
.7,500 
. 318 (1) 
,3,700 
. 80 
. 387 (1) 
.1,800 
. 700 
. 175 
.2,.500 
. 209 (1) 
. 90 (1) 



Total in the 16 CAPPER STATES. 67,457. 50% of states reporting Jan. 1, 1920. 
Total in the 32 Other States, 43.137. 44% of states reporting .lanuary 1, 1920 

Total in United States. 110,.594. 

(1) 1917 Figures. 

(2) Estimated 20% increase over .Ian. 1. 1919. 

Compiled by Bureau of Research THE CAPPER FARM PRESS. 



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BIBLIOGRAPHY 



INTRODUCTION 

THE CAPPER FARM PRESS has been a noteM'orthy pioneer in the educational movement for 
motorizing- the farm. Sufficient evidence of this claim is set forth in the attached bibliography of 
original articles appearing in the five Sections of THE TAPPER FARM PRESS, only during 1919 
and in January, 1920. 

If this record included all of our contributions to this great national service since the inception 
of the modern, practical tractor, it would make a book too unwieldy and cumbersome for wide- 
spread di.stribution. 



Tractors, Uses of 



1. About tractor farming — Oklahoma Farmer, July 10, 
1919. 

2. A team of tractor.s — Capper's Farmer, December, 
1919. 

3. Cover illu.stration showing tractor in use — Kansas 
Farmer and Mail and Breeze, April 12, 1919. 

4. Cover illustration showing tractor in operation — 
Kansas Farmer and Mail and Breeze, February 8, 
1919. 

5. Cover illustration showing tractor in operation — 
Kansas Farmer and Mail and Breeze. February 22, 
1919. 

6. Cover illustration showing tractor with wheat drills 
— Kansas Fanner and Mail and Breeze, April .o, 1919. 

7. Cover illustration with tractor at work — Nebraska 
Farm Journal, February 15, 1919. 

S. Farmers find good use for tractor — symposium by 
Kansas farmers — Kan.sas Farmer and Mail and 
Breeze. March 15, 1919. 

9. Firewood and the buzz saw — Kansas Farmer and 
Mail and Breeze, December 6, 1919. 

10. Illustration showing depth of plowing — Kansas Farm- 
er and Mail and Breeze, November 29, 1919. 

11. Illustration showing tractor .sawing wood — Missouri 
Ruralist, April 5, 1919. 

12. Illustration showing tractor in operation — Kansas 
Farmer and Mail and Breeze, October 11, 1919. 

13. Illustration showing tractor in operation — Capper's 
Farmer. February. 1919. 

14. Illustration show-ing tractor at work — Missouri Ru- 
ralist July 5, 1919. 

15. Illustration showing tractor at work — Nebraska Farm 
Journal, February 15, 1919. 

16. Illustration .showing Wallis cub tractor — Mis.souri Ru- 
ralist, April 5. 1919. 

17. Illustration showing use of tractor — Missouri Ru- 
ralist. August 20, 1919. 

18. Interested in tractors — Oklahoma Farmer, May 10, 
1919. 

19. Large fields for tractors — Kansas Farmer and Mall 
and Breeze, May 3. 1919. 

20. Make the gas engine do the chores — Kansas Farmer 
and Mail and Breeze. August 30. 1919. 

21. Missouri and the tractor — Missouri Ruralist, ^pril 
20, 1919. 

22. Putting tractors in France — Cupper's Farmer, Novem- 
ber, 1919. 

23. Plowing sandy land — Oklahoma Farmer, Mav 10. 
1919. 

Nel)raska Farm Journal, February 15. 1919. 

24. Power farming increases profits — Kansas Farmer 
and Mail and Breeze, April 12, 1919. 

25. Tractor plows corn — Missouri Ruralist. September 5, 
1919. 

2(!. Tractor proposition in Wisconsin — Kansas Farmer 
and Mail and Breeze. February 1. 1919. 

27. Three illu.strations portraying tractors and their 
uses — Kansas Farmer and Mail and Breeze. December 
6, 1919, October 25, 1919, and November 15, 1919. 



28. This tractor never tires — Kansas Farmer and Mail 
and Breeze, June 7, 1919. 

This tractor doesn't rest much — Nebraska Farm Jour- 
nal. J»iruary 1, 1919. 

29. Two illustrations portraying uses of tractors — Kan- 
sas Farmer and Mail and Breeze, July 15, 1919. 

30. The tractor lightens work — Kansas Farmer and Mall 
and Breeze, January 11, 1919. 

Oklahoma Farmer. February 10, 1919. 
Nebraska Farm Journal, February 1, 1919. 
Missouri Ruralist. April 5, 1919. 

31. Two illustrations portraying uses of tractors — Kan- 
sas Farmer and Mail and Breeze, November 22, 1919. 

32. Two illustrations showing uses of tractors — Kansas 
Farmer and Mail and Breeze. July 19, 1919. 

33. Two illustrations showing tractors in use — Kansas 
Farmer and Mail and Breeze July 12, 1919 and Oc- 
tober 11, 1919. 

34. Two illustrations showing uses of tractors — Kansas 
Farmer and Mail and Breeze, October 11, 1919. 

35. Tractors pulling stumps — Kansas Farmer and Mail 
and Breeze, July 12. 1919. 

3(). Three illustrations .showing tractor in operation — 

Kansas Farmer and Mail and Breeze, March 1, 1919, 

March 1, 1919 and January 24, 1919. 
37. Tractor used in derelict land — Kansas Farmer and 

Mail and Breeze. March 1, 1919. 
3S. Tractor at work in field — Kansas Farmer and Mail 

and Breeze, July 5, 1919. 

39. To get the threshing done — Oklahoma Farmer, May 
10, 1919. 

40. Tractors with equipment — cover page — Oklahoma 
Farmer, July 25, 1919. 

41. They saw wood and sawed it — Oklahoma Farmer, De- 
cember 25, 1919. 

42. Two illustrations showing tractor at work — Nebraska 
Farm Journal. February 1, 1919 and September 15, 
1919. 

43. AVith Missouri farm folks — Missouri Ruralist, July 
5, 1919. 

44. Wider use for the tractor — Nebraska Farm Journal, 
July 15. 1919. 



Tractors, Kinds of 



1. Buy a small tractor — Missouri Ruralist. February 5. 
1919. 

2. Careful tractor .selection means economy — Missouri 
Valley Farmer. March. 1919. 

3. Illitstration showing Titan tractor — Mi.ssouri Ru- 
ralist, February 20, 1919. 

4. Small machines for average farm — Missouri Ruralist, 
April 5, 1919. 

5. Small tractor best liked — Kansas Farmer and Mall 
and Breeze. February 22, 1919. 

0. Tractois .«h<)w improvement in rpialit.v — Kansas 
Farmer and Mail and Breeze. March S, 1919. 

7. Tractor suited to size of farm — Kansas Farmer and 
Mail and Breeze. July 12. 1919. 

8. Tractors fit farm — Oklahoma Farmer, April 10, 1919. 

9. Tractors — to buy or not to buy — Nebraska Farm 
Journal, February 15, 1919. 



10. The small farm tractor — Missouri Riirallst, March 6, 
1919. 

11. When selecting a farm power outfit — Nebraska Farm 
Journal, January 15, 1920. 

Tractor Shows 

1. Article on shows — Capper's Farmer, July. 1919. 

2. Cover page showing tractor at work in field with 
headline. Tractor dominated the Missouri State Fair 
this year, etc. — Missouri Ruralist, August 20, 1919. 

3. Cover page : Let's go to the tractor show at Kansas 
City— Missouri Ruralist, February 20, 1919. 

4. Cover page : See the Automotive Show this month — 
Oklahoma Farmer, February 10, 1919. 

5. Cover page showing tractor with headline — National 
Demonstration, etc. — Kansas Farmer and Mail and 
Breeze, July 12, 1919. 

Nebraska Farm Journal, July 1.^, 1919. 
Mi.s.souri Ruralist, July 5, 1919. 
Oklahoma Farmer, July 10, 1919. 

6. Great tractor exhibition — Capper's Farmer, February, 
1919. 

7. Kansas City tractor show — Kansas Farmer and Mall 
and Breeze, February 8, 1919. 

8. Kansas City tractor show — Kansas Farmer and Mall 
and Breeze, January 4. 1919. 

9. Kansas has national tractor show — Kansas Farmer 
and Mail and Breeze, July 12. 1919. 

10. Kansas City tractor show — Kansas Farmer and Mail 
and Breeze, January 4, 1919. 

11. Mid-west thresher-tractor show — Kansas Farmer and 
Mail and Breeze, January 4, 1919. 

Oklahoma Farmer, January 25, 1919. 

12. New dates for tractor .show — Nebraska Farm Journal, 
July 1, 1919. 

13. Now the tractor show — Missouri Ruralist, .January 
20, 1919. 

14. Shows of tractors and crops — ( iklah(mia Farmer, 
July 25, 1919. 

15. Tractors — we saw 'em — Missouri Ruralist, March 5, 
1919. 

16. The Wichita tractor show — Kansas Farmer and Mail 
and Breeze, May 5, 1919. 

17. The national tractor show — Kansas Farmer and Mail 
Breeze, July 5, 1919. 

18. Tractors turned the trick — Kansas Farmer and Mail 
and Breeze. July 26, 1919. 

19. Tireless helpers for farmer on display at the auto 
motive .show — Oklahoma Farmer. February 10, 1919. 

20. Tractor show at Wichita — Oklahoma Farmer, Decem- 
ber 25, 1919. 

21. Tractors turned 3,000 acre.s — Nebraska Farm Jotjrnal, 
August 1, 1019. 

22. Tractor show at Kansas Citv — Nebraska Farm Jour- 
nal, March 15, 1919. 

23. Tractors on parade — Missouri Ruralist. August 5, 
1919. 

24. Tractors in workin' togs- -Missouri Ruralist. Novem- 
ber 20, 1910. 

Tractor Schools 

1. Tractor .service schools — Kansas Farmer and Mail 
and Breeze, February S. 1010." 

2. Tractor schools in Nebraska — Nebraska Farm .Tour- 
nal, February 1, 1919. 

Tractor Laws 

1. Tractor legislation — Nebraska Farm Journal, .\pril 1, 
1919. 

Tractors, General Discussion of 

1. An all-purpose tractor — Capper's Farmer, July. 1919. 

2. Better farming with the tractor — Kansas Farmer and 
Mail and Breeze, September 13. 1919. 

Oklahoma Farmer, September 25, 1010. 
Missouri Ruralist. September 20, 1919. 

3. Clipping on experience with tractors — Capper's Farm- 
er. September, 1919. 

4. Defects of tractor plowing — Nebraska Farm Journal. 
March 1. 1919. 

Missouri Ruralist, April 5, 1919. 



5. Farm engineering — Kansas Farmer and Mall and 
Breeze, March 15, 1919. 

6. Fast plowing saves labor — Oklahoma Farmer, July 
10, 1919. 

Nebraska Farm Journal, January 15, 1919. 

7. Farmers tell about tractors — Oklahoma Farmer, April 
10, 1919. 

Tractor tests In Dakotas — Nebraska Farm Journal, 
April 15, 1919. 

Missouri Ruralist, September 20, 1919. 
N. Farming with a tractor — Kansas Farmer and Mail 
and Breeze, February 22, 1919. 

0. Farmers plu)ne for tractors — Capper's Farmer, Aug- 
ust, 1010. 

10. Going fifty-fifty on tractors — Kansas Farmer and 
Mail and Breeze, October 11, 1919. 

Oklahoma Farmer, October 25, 1919. 

11. Good wages in tractor threshing — Nebraska Farm 
.Journal, December 15, 1919. 

12. Illustration showing how harvesting expenses are 
reduced when tractor is used — Kansas Farmer and 
Mail and Breeze, July 12, 1919. 

13. Illustration showing progress — old way and new way 
of hauling — Kansas Farmer and Mail and Breeze, 
October 4, 1919. 

14. Illustration showing tractors at work — Oklahoma 
Farmer, July 10, 1919. 

15. Illustration on advantages of tractor in wheat har- 
vest — Capper's Farmer, September, 1919. 

16. Let the tractor do it — Nebraska Farm Journal, April 
1,5, 1919. 

17. Low tractor upkeej) — Capper's Farmer, January, 1919. 

18. My tractor saves labor — Oklahoma Farmer, July 10, 
1919. 

10. Motor solved help problem — Nebraska Farm Journal, 

January 15, 1019. 
20. More rapid accomplishment of work — Kansas Farmer 

and Mail and Breeze, June 14, 1919. 

1. Mechanical farm power — Kansas Farmer and Mail 
and Breeze, May 31, 1919. 

2. Making the motorized farm a i-eality — Capper's 
Farmer, July, 1919. 

3. My years of tractor success — Capper's Farmer, June, 
1919. 

24. No rest for this tractor day or night — Nebraska Farm 

Joiirnal, June 15, 1919. 

Power farming is best — Kansas Farmer and Mail 

and Breeze, July 12, 1919. 

Power farming will cheapen and lighten many farm 

operations in Kansas — cover page — Kansas Farmer 

and Mail and Breeze, June 7. 1919. 
L'7. l'o\^er machines save wheat — Missouri Ruralist, Sep- 
tember 20, 1919. 
28. Reduction of inimber of horses needed — Kansas 

Farmer and Mail and Breeze, March 22, 1910. 
20. Tractor is good investment — Kansas Farmer and Mall 

and Breeze, August 28, 1919. 

Nebraska Farm Journal, September 19, 1919. 

30. Tractors improve country life — Kansas Farmer and 
Mail and Breeze, July 12, 1919. 

31. Tractors as pullers of binders — Kansas Farmer and 
Mail and Breeze, July 12, 1919. 

32. Tractors give good results — Kansas Farmer and Mail 
and Breeze, January 24, 1919. 

33. Tractors mean more wheat — Kansas Farmer and Mail 
and Breeze, July 26, 1919. 

34. Tractors are labor savers — Kansas Farmer and Mail 
and Breeze, September C, 1919. 

35. Two illustrations showing the advantage of tractor 
in plowing dry ground and wheat land — Kansas 
Farmer and Mail and Breeze, October 4, 1919 and 
September 13, 1010. 

36. The labor problem is serious — Kansas Farmer and 
Mail anil Breeze, .January 24, 1919. 

37. Three illustrations showing tractors in operation — 
Oklahoma Farmer. July 10, 1919. July 10. 1910. and 
February 10, 1010. 

38. These are the busiest weeks — Oklahoma Farmer, 
July 10, 1019. 

30. Tractor operates hciulcr — (iklabomir Farmer, June 10, 
1919. 

40. To plow well with tractdi- Oklahoma Farmer, July 
25, 1019. 

41. Tractor harvesting in fnor — Nebraska Farm Journal, 
June 15, 1919. 



42. Trnctor successes — Nebraska Farm Journal, Septem- 
ber 1, 1910. 

43. Tractors for the hills — Missouri Ruralist, August 20, 
1919. 

44. Tractors do more than plow — Missouri Ruralist, Feb- 
ruary 20. 1919. 

45. Tractors in the north — Missouri Ruralist. February 
20. 1919. 

46. Two opinions of tractors — Capper's Farmer. Septem- 
ber, 1919. 

47. Use tractor all the year — Kansas Farmer and Mail 
and Breeze. November 29, 1919. 

48. What the tractor won't do — Missouri Ruralist, Jan- 
uary .^1. 1".)19. 

49. What the tractor did for the wheat — Capper's Farm- 
er, September. 1919. 

50. Why Henry bous;ht a tractor — Capper's Farmer, Feb- 
ruary, 1920. 

51. "Sou can't buck a steam engine with your bare hands 
— Capper's Farmer, January, 1920. 

Tractors, Mechanism of 

1. Article on operation, mechanical nature of tractors, 
etc. — Capper's Farmer. Feliruary, 1919. 

2. Causes of tractor troubles — Nebraska Farm Journal. 
February 1, 1919. 

3. Farm engineering — Kansas Farmer and Mail and 
Breeze. May 3, 1919. 

4. Farm Engineering — Kansas Farmer and Mail and 
Breeze, August 9. 1919. 

5. Farm engineering — Kansas Farmer and Mail and 
Breeze, April 5, 1919. 

6. Farm and home mechanics — Nebraska Farm Journal, 
July 15, 1919. 

7. Farm equipment repair week — Nebraska Farm Jour- 
nal, February 15, 1919. 

8. Fitting tractor and farm together — Nebraska Farm 
Journal, July 1. 1919. 

9. Illustration .showing woman tractor operator — Ne- 
braska Farm Journal, February 1, 1919. 

10. Illustration showing tractor in action — Kansas Farm- 
er and Mail and Breeze, April 26, 1919. 

11. Illustration showing tractor engine — Nebraska Farm 
Journal, July 15, 1919. 

12. Illustration showing woman running a tractor — Mis- 
souri Ruralist. June 5. 1919. 

13. Ilhistration .showing gas engine can be used for 
washing — Missouri Ruralist. April 5, 1919. 

14. Less trouble with tractors — Nebraska Farm Journal, 
October 19, 1919. 

15. Light tractors for binders — Capper's Farmer, June, 
1919. 

16. Plank lugs for tractor wheels — Capper's Farmer, 
June, 1019. 

17. Speed for tractor engine — Kansas Farmer and Mail 
and Breeze, July 12. 1919. 

18. Study tractor operation — Kansas Farmer and Mail 
and Breeze, January 11. 1919. 

19. The old way and the new — Kansas Farmer and Mail 
and Breeze. August 23. 1019. 

20. Tractor wheels and hoofs — Oklahoma Farmer, July 
10, 1919. 

Nebraska Farm Journal. July 15, 1919. 

21. Tractor's air cleaner — Oklahoma Farmer, February, 
10, 1919. 

22. Tractor plowing metho<ls — Kan.sas Farmer and Mail 
and Breeze, July 26. 1919. 

23. Weight and tractive power — Kansas Farmer and Mail 
and Breeze, January IS, 1019. 



Tractors, Care of 



Tractors, Number of 



1. Article on output of tractors in United States — Cap- 
per's Farmer, February, 1919. 

2. Kansas counties with tractors— Kansas Farmer and 
Mail and Breeze. January 4. 1019. 

3. Tractor output of the United States— Nebraska Farm 
Journal, March 15, 1919. 

4. The future of tractors — Capper's Farmer, February, 



Care in handling gasoline — Nebraska Farm Journal, 
July 15, 1919. 

Cost of tractor repairs — Nebraska Farm Journal 
June 15, 1919. 

Care of your tractor — Missouri Ruralist, April 20 
1919. 

Give tractor good care — Kansas Farmer and Mail and 
Breeze, June 14, 1919. 

My experience with tractors— Missouri Ruralist 
March 20, 1919. 

The winter care of the tractor— Kansas Farmer and 
Mail and Breeze, November 15, 1910. 
Tractors in the winter time— Oklahoma Farmer De- 
cember 10, 1919. 

Nebraska Farm Journal, December 15, 1919. 
Tractors — try one on your farm— Missouri Ruralist 
April 5, 1919. 



Tractor Fuels 

1. Fuels for engines— Kansas Farmer and Mail and 
Breeze. July 12, 1919. 

2. Fuel costs for tractor— Nebraska Farm Journal, April 

3. Gas best tractor fuel— Missouri Ruralist, July 5, 1919 

4. Lubricants for gas engine— Nebraska Farm Journal, 



SUMMARY 

Major Tractor Articles 

Capper's Farmer: 

'„*"*' June, 1919 

■ July, 1919 



Date 



One. 



O'le November, 1919 

One January, 1920 

<^''"' February, 1920 

Missouri Ruralist : 

C*"e February 5, 1919 

T«o February 20, 1919 

Tlii-ee March 5, 1919 

* '"•' March 20, 1919 

Two April 5, 1919 

T«o April 20, 1919 

'J"<" July 5, 1919 

One July 15, 1919 

One August 5, 1919 

One August 20, 1919 

Three September 20, 1919 

One November, 1919 

Nebraska Farm Journal : 

Two January 15,1919 

One February 1, 1919 

One February 15, 1919 

One March 15, 1919 

Three April 15, 1919 

One June 5, 1919 

One July 1, 1919 

Four July 15, 1919 

One August 1, 1919 

One September 1, 1919 

Two December 15, 1919 

Oklahoma Farmer: 

One January 25, 1919 

Two February 10, 1919 

One April 10, 1919 

Thre(> May 10, 1919 

Three July 10. 1919 

Two July 25, 1919 

One September 25, 1919 

One October 25, 1919 

One December 10, 1919 



Major Tractor Articles Date 

Kansas Farmer and 

Mail and Breeze : 

Two January 4, 1919 

Xliree January 11, 1919 

One January 18, 1919 

One February 1, 1919 

Two February 8, 1919 

One February 22, 1919 

One March 8, 1919 

T\vo Marcli l.">. 1919 

One April .">. 1919 

One April 12. 1919 

Two May 3, 1919 

One May 31, 1919 

One J'lue 14, 1919 

One July 5, 1919 

Four .Tuly 12. 1919 

Three July 20, 1919 

One Augu.st 9, 1919 

One August 30, 1919 

One September 13, 1919 

One October 11. 1919 

One November 15, 1919 

One November 29, 1919 

One December 6, 1919 

One January 24, 1919 



A Partial Tractor Bibliography: Period- 
ical and Book. 



For direct reference t( 



issue of i>ulilirati(ins 
index. 



Example; l!all I'.rarins Tractors. See Design, D, 
Item 2, Refer to Cross Index under Scientific American, 
Item D-2. for volume, page and date. 

INDEX 

Aitachmeiits A 

('ultivating B 

Demonstrations C 

Design ^ 

Development ^ 

Ditching F 

Efficiency C" 

Eiectrie Tractors H 

Food Situation 1 

General J 

Harvesting K 

Hauling A' 

Horse and Tractor M 

Large Farm Tractors N 

Odd Jobs O 

Operation P 

Plowing ^ 

Road Work ^ 

Schools, Tractor S 

Small Farm Tractors T 

War, Tractors in U 

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL CROSS INDEX 

PERIODICALS 

No Publication Vol. Page Date 

R. 1 American City 19 313-15 Oct., 1918 

R. 3 American City H in-13 July. 1917 

R. 4 American City ^0 . .527-S June. 1919 

R. 6 American City 2o4/J^-20 Mar.. 1919 

R. 7 American City 20"''^524-6 June, 1919 

J. 11 Country Life 33 llfi-i Nov., 1917 

M. 5 Country Life 37 70-2 Nov., 1919 

J. IB Current Opinion fil 350-1 Nov., 1916 

M. 2 Current Opinion 02 219 Mar., 1917 

J. G English Magazine 49 750-2 Aug., 1917 

G 1 Farmers Bulletin 963 1-30 191S 

J. 6 Farmers Bulletin 1004 1-27 191S 

J. 21 Farmers Bulletin 1035 1-32 1919 

M. 1 Farmers Bulletin 719 1-24 1916 

J. 22 Forum 61 494-501 .\pril. 1919 

P. 4 Garden Magazine 29 29-31 Feb.. 1919 



No. Publication Vol. Page Date 

B. 1 Illustrated World 27 725 July, 1917 

C. 2 Illnsli:ii.d World 30 289-92 Oct., 1918 

J 10 Illiisli.it.il World 26 77-S2 Sept. 1916 

J. 23 Illii.'^iiMt.Ml World 31 879-80 Aug. 1919 

J. 24 lUuKtruted World 31 846 Aug. 1919 

V. 6 Illustrated World 30 375-8 Nov. 1918 

J. 14 Independent 95 388-9 Sept. 21, 1918 

J. 16 Independent 94 321 May 25.1918 

M. 3 Independent 86 337 May 29. 1916 

S. 1 Industrial Arts Magazine S 508-10 June. 1919 

P. 5 Kansas State Agricul- 
tural College. Div. of 

Col. Extension circular. 13 1919 

P. 6 Kansas State Agricul- 
tural College, Div. of 

Col. Extension circular. 16 1919 

n. 17 r>iterary Digest 61 28 May 31, 1919 

J. 1 IJterary Digest 59 24 Nov. 23, 1918 

,r. 3 Literary Digest 51 1231 Nov. 27, 1915 

J. 5 Literary Digest '51 12-19-20 Nov. 27, 1919 

J. 20 Literary Digest 62 26 Aug. 30. 1919 

S. 2 Literary Digest 60 46 Jan. 4, 1919 

U. 4 Literary Digest 57 23 June 8, 1918 

U. 5 Literary Digest 53 891 Oct. 7, 1916 

J. 28 Okla. Farmer. Tractor 

Facts 1919 

J. 7 Outlook 110 760-7 .Sept. 28, 1915 

J. 7 Outlook 116 334-5 June 27, 1917 

A. 1 Scientific American Ill 196 Sept. 15. 1917 

C. 1 S.i.iitifi.- .\inerican 119 35 Nov. 2, 1918 

D. 1 .s, i, iiiiii. AmericaTh- 116 323 Mar. 31. 1917 

n. 2 SrMiiiiii, American 116 388 April 21. 1917 

D. 3 .■^. I. lit 111. American 118 458 May 18. 1918 

D 4 s. i.iititi. A li.tiii 115 554 Dec. 16, 1916 

V. 5 S.I. lit III.' Aiii.ii. :ui 119 132 Aug. 17, 1918 

D 6 S.i.iititi. \iii.ii.,iii 113 344 Oct. 16. 1915 

r,' 7 .s iiitiii. Am. II. an US 100-1 July 29, 1916 

-> ,S S.I. I, till.' \iii.ii.:,ii lis 76 Jan. 19, 1918 

n 9 S. mil till. A 111.' I I, till 119 54 Julv 20, 1918 

U 111 S i.iiiili. \iii.ii.,.ii 111 525 Dec. 26, 1914 

D 11 Sii.iil 111. \. 11. 11. tin lis 109 Feb. 2, 1918 

D 12 S.i.iitili. American 117 479 Dec. 22. 1917 

d' 13 S. 1. lit \morican 119 396 Nov. 16, 1918 

d' 14 S.i.iitni. American 114 512 May 13, 1916 

D 15 S.I. Ill 111. .\merican 114 327 Mar. 25, 1916 • 

d' 16 S.i.iitiii. American 116 498 May 19, 1917 

D IS S.I. unit. American 120 662 June 21, 1919 

D 19 S. 1.1. nil. American 120 122 Feb. 8, 1919 

d' "ii s.t.iitiii. \inerican 119 482 Dec. 14, 1918 

d' 21 S.i.iitiii. \merican US 260 Mar. 23, 1918 

D i.> s. I. til It 1. American 114 106 Jan. 22, 1916 

e' "i s.i.iiiiti. American 119 516 Dec. 28, 1918 

E' 2 S.I. tit II I. .\inerican 117 383 Nov. 24, 1917 

p' 1 S.I. iititi. American 82 228 Oct. 7,1916 

a " s.i.iiiili. American 115 96-7 July 29. 1916 

O' 3 S. i.tiiili. American 121 90 July 26, 1919 

H 1 S.I. 1. American 119 318 Oct. 19, 1918 

h' ■■ S.i.iiIiH. American 116 286 Mar. 17. 1917 

H 3 S.i.iiiili. .\merican 114 106 Jan. 22, 1916 

[ ■ 1 s.i.tiiili. .\merican 119 396 Nov. 16. 1918 

J -J s.i.iitiii. American 117 3S3 Nov. 24. 1917 

J. 4 s.i.titiii. American 81 282-3 April 29, 1916 

J 9 S.i.iitHi. American 118 17 Jan. 5. 1918 

J 12 S.i.iiiili. .\merican 117 274 Oct. 13, 1917 

J. 13 Sciriitirn- American 119 92 Aug. 3, 1918 

J IS .Scieniific American 113 471 Nov. 27, 1915 

J 19 .Scientific American US 260 Mar. 23, 1918 

j! 25 Scientific American 120 232 Mar. 8, 1919 

K 1 Scientific American 112 612 June 19, 1915 

L 1 Scientific American 118 15 Jan. 5, 1918 

L. 2 Scientific American 116 S6 Jan. 20. 1917 

L 3 ScicTltific American 114 406 April 15, 1916 

L 4 S.'i..|iiiri.' Aiii.ii.aii 116 194-5 May 19, 1917 

M. 4 Sii.tiiiti. \ii...i.;iii IIS 343 April 13, 1918 

O. 1 S. 1. 1. \ II. an 119 290 Oct. 12, 1918 

P. 1 S.i.iitiii. Aiii.Ti.'an 119 358 Nov. 2, 1918 

P. 2 S.i.ailiti. .\merican 115 330 Oct. 7, 1916 

p .3 S.I. tit 111. .\merican 119 358 Nov. 2, 1918 

q' 1 s. fill 111. .\merican 119 318 Oct. 19, 1918 

R 2 S.i.iiiilt. American 117 479 Dec. 22, 1917 

r' 5 Scieiitili. Am. a i. 1(11 115 374 Oct. 21, 1916 

T 1 Scientil'i. \in.ii.tin 114 80 Jan. 15, 1918 

T 2 Scientili. Ain.ii.an 112 304 April 3, 1915 

t' 3 Scientili.' Am.ii.-an 112 306-S April 3, 1915 

U 2 Scientific American 117 22 July 14, 1917 

U 3 Scientific American 116 600 June 16, 1917 

U. 7 Scientifc American 119 125 July 17, 1918 

E. 3 Sc. Am. Quarterly 227 194-202 Jan., 1917 

M. 6 Successful Farming 1919 

J. 17 Sunset 94 321 May 25, 1918 

N. 1 Technical World 23 340-2 May, 1915 

IT. 1 Touchstone 2 606-11 Mar., 1918 

J. 29 Tractor Field Book 

Farm Implement News 

—Chicago 1918 
J. 30 Tractor Field Book 

Farm Implement News 

—Chicago 1917 

U. 8 World's Work oa 363 Feb.. 1918 



A. Attachments : 

1. Ti-actor attacliiiu'iits for pleasnro car chassis- 
Scientific American. 



B. Cultivating : 

J. Cultivating curn liy tractor>^ 



-Illn;<tratcd World. 



C. Demonstrations : 

1. Results of Oliio tractor deuKtn.-itrations — Scien- 
tific American. 

2. Trucks and tractor cxliihit on a half-mile pier — 
B. L. Gray: lllu.strati'd World. 

D. Design : 

1. Bah.v tractor of .i;rcat power — Scientific American. 

2. Ball hearing tractor — Scientific American. 

'.J Distinctive agricultural tractor design — Scientific 
American. 

4. Dual tractor .system for tractors — plans' — Scien- 
tific American. 

5. General utility tractor controlled with reins — 
Scientific American. 

G. Interesting forms of farm truclv tractors — V. W. 

Page ; Scientific American. 
7. Modern agricultural tractor designs — V. W. Page ; 

Scientific American. 
S. New farm tractor hurning kerosene — Scientific 

American. 
!>. Xovel French agricultural tractor — Scientific 

American. 

10. Powerful motor tractors — Scientific American. 

11. Steel mule that drives like a liorse — J. M. Baird ; 
Scientific American. 

12. Track laying truck-tra<tor — Scientific American. 
IH. Tractor power i)lant improvements — Scientific 

American. 

14. Ti-actor with drive wlieel in the furrow — Scien- 
tific American. 

15. New Yorlv"s gasoline electric truclvs for garbage 
collective and tsnow-renioval service — Scientific 
American. 

l(i. Tractor that drives like a hoi-se — Scientific 

American. 
17. Farming in spirals: usin,g the synmotor — Literary 

Digest. 
IS. New track laying tractor — Scientific American. 
lit. Rubber tired tractor — Scientific American. 

20. Tractor of good design and construction — Scien- 
tific American. 

21. Novel tread for the tractor — Scientific American. 

22. One-wheel tractor — Scientific American. 

E. Development : 

1. Treml of tractor development — H. Warren; 
Scientific American. 

2. Crawling tractor fifty years ago — Scientific 
American. 

3. Development of the agriculutural motor — H. 
Wyatt ; Scientific American Quarterly. 



F. Ditching: 

1. I'lowiiig <lrainage ditcln 
tit'ii- American. 



-F. ('. Perkins: Scien- 



G. Efficiency : 

1. Tractor experience in Illinois: Niudy of the farm 
tractor under corn belt ■ ..mjii i,,iis — A. P. Yerkes 
and L. M. Church: Farmers' Bulletin. 

2. Efficiency of farm tractors — a standard system 
of testing neededi — C. M. Eason ; Scientific 
American. 

0. Tractor design and power economy — Scientific 
American. 

H. Electric Tractors: 

1. Electric crane tractor — Scientific American. 

2. Electric tractor with novel drive — Scientific 
American. 

3. One wheel tractor — Scientific American. 



fl. General : 

1. America first in farm tractors — Literary Digest. 

2. Car of all work — ('. L. I'Mliolm ; Scientific 
American. 

3. Farm tractor subsidy in France — Literary 
Digest. 

4. Farm tractors — P. S. llo.se : Scientific American. 

0. Farmer's power-plant — Literary Digest. 

G. Gas tractor in eastern farming — A. P. Yerkes 

and L. M. Church ; Farmers' Bulletin. 
7. Gasoline and agriculture — T. R. Price : Ovitlook. 

5. Gasoline farm tractors — P. S. Rose ; English 
Magazine. 

!). Gasoline horse in the West — E. C. Cro.ssman; 
Scientific American. 

10. Iron horse on the farm — F. G. Moorliead : Illus- 
trated World. 

11. Is the tractor tradable'/— F. F. Rockwell: Coun- 
try Life. 

12. Mobilizing the farm machinery — A. Ij. Dahl ; 
Scientific American. 

13. Motorizing the farm — Scientific American. 

14. On the trail of the tractor — J. R. Eustis; Inde- 
pendent. 

15. Tanks, tractors and other prehLstoric monsters 
of today — Current Opinion. 

IG. Tractor that never tires — A. L. Dahl : Inde- 
pendent. 

17. Uncle Ben and the caterpillar — C. Crow ; Sunset. 

IS. Wide spread use of the steam road locomotive 
in England — Scientific American. 

I'.J. Novel trend for the tractor — Scientific American. 

20. Dusty field.s — ^Literary Digest. 

21. Farm tractor in the Dakotas — A. P. Yerkes and 
L. M. Church : Farmers' Bulletin. 

22. Horseless farms — J. D. Stuart ; Forum. 

23. Motor culture for French farm.S' — R. S. Pearce ; 
Illustrated World. 

24. Not a horse on world's largest farm — Illustrated 
World. 

25. Official list of farm tractors — Scientific American. 
2G. Motors and Motoring — Professor Henry John 

Spooner. 
27. Self-propelled vehicles — James E. Homans, A. M. 
2S. Tractor Facts — Oklahoma Farmer. 
20. Tractor Field Book — Farm Implement News, 

Chicago, 1018. 

30. Tractor Field Book — Farm Implement News. Chi- 
cago, 1917. 

31. Tractor farming and traction engineering — James 
Stephenson. 

32. The Ideal Tractor— H. .H. Fenton. Kansas State 
Agricultural College. 

33. The Merchandising of Tractors — Charles Coolidge 
Parlin. 

34. Farm gas engines — C. F. Hirshfeld and T. C. 
Ulbricht. 

35. Farm Machinery — L. W. Chase. 

3ti. Internal Combustion Engines and Tractors — 
Major Oliver P. Zimmerman. 

.".7. Report of Secretary of Agriculture — D. F. Hous- 
ton, 1019. 

3S. Proceedings of First National Country Life Con- 
fertnice, Baltimore. National Country Life Asso- 
ciation — Supplement-Standard Farm Y'ear Book. 

K. HaiTesting : 

1. Harvesting 



jrain by motor powei' — Scientific 



I. Food Situation: 

1. Tractor saves the food 
American. 



ituation — Scientific 



L. Hauling : 

1. Industrial tractor train— Scientific American. 

2. Tractor and trailer train for ore tran.sportation — 
Scientific American. 

3. Moving structural steel with tractor — Scientific 
American. 

4. Motor tractors and trailers — J. Brinker : Scientific 
American. 

M. Horse and Tractor: 

1. Economic stud.v of tlie farm tractor in the corn 
belt — A. P. Yerkes and L. M. Church: Farmers' 
Bulletin. 

2. Exit the horse, enter the motor, in farming for 
big profits — Current Opinion. 



.".. Farm horsp doesn't pay — A. J. Dimock ; Iiidepen- 
duiit. 

4. Tractor controversy : discussion — H. L. Cain and 
others : Scientific American. 

."). Horses wanted: more lieav.v horficpower — E. L. 
D, Seymour ; Country Life. 

11. Tlie Cost of Farm Horse Labor— W. E. \V., In- 
diana ; Successful Farming. 

N. Large Farm Tractors: 

1. Meclianical perclicrou.^— H. K. Hamilton ; Tcrli- 
iiical World. 

O. Odd Jobs: 

1. Out-of-tlu'-way .jolis for the Iractor— A. L. Dalil : 
Scientitii- American. 

F. Operation : 

1. Steering aiid coul idlliiiii; devices for the 4-wheeled 
tractor — Scientific American. 

2. Tractor for the walking ,iob — Scientific American. 
;;. Tractor operation data — Scientific American. 

4. Can 1 use a tractor? — F. E. Goodwin : Gard<m 

Magazine. 
.">. Common tractor trouldes — H. H. Fenton. Kansas 

State Agricultural College. 
G. The Farm Shop — H. H. Fenton. Kan^ts State 

Agricultural College. 
7. Discussion of tractor servici' — H. C. P.uffington ; 

i:)e:it Parrel t. Tractor Service. 

Q. Plowmg : 

1. Gasoline tracttn- for calih 
Scientific American. 

2. Power and the plow — L. W. Elli 
A. Kumely. 

R. Road Work: 

1. Building reads witli a tractor — W. Evans; Amer- 
can City. 



plewing-diagram — 
nil Edward 



2. Tra<-tor and trailer for mad work — Scientifit.' 
American. 

;'.. Value of a tractor in building earth roads — J. 
B. Woods: American City. 

4. Adaptable motor equiupment for road mainte- 
nance plan — American City. 

•"p. Truck tractor for highway construction — Scien- 
tific American. 

li. Tractor in road work — ]. F. Phy ; American City. 

7. Grading with tractors and heavy blade graders 
— Am(>rican City. 

s. The Art of Road Making — Harwood Frost. Mem- 
ber (if American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 

S. Schools, Tractor: 

1. I'aliforiiia's traveling tractor school- — J. C. Bes- 

wick : Indeepndent Arts Magazine. 

2. Authoritative statements on farm tractor prog- 
ress and education — J. F. Cook ; Literary Digest. 

T. Siiiail-type Farm Tractors: 

1. IJght weight ga.« tractor for the farm — Scientific 
American. 

2. Small farm tractin's — Scientific Anieriiaii. 

3. Progress in small farm tractors — L. W. Ellis; 
Scientific American. 

I'. War, Tractors in; 

L Farm tractorf^. war and women — Touchstone. 
2. Tractor l)ehind tlie lines — Scientific American. 
.".. Tractors and the war — Scientific American. 

4. Tractors replace dr.-ifled men — Literary Digest. 
.". Conquering lieavv roads in Frame — Literary 

Digest. 
(;. Mechanical army mules— H. Sheldon ; Illustrated 

World. 
7. Motor trucks in llie war — Scientific Ann^rican. 

5. American tract<ii's to the rescue— World's Work. 



No. Title .'Author I'liblisher 

S Art of Road Making, The Haidwood Frost London — Constable & Co., Ltd., 1910 . 

34 Farm Gas Engine.s C. F. Hirschfield & T. C. Ulbricht . . . John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. New York. 



3.5 Farm Machinery L. W. Chase. . 

32 Ideal Tractor, The H. H. Fenton . 



Chapman & Hall, Ltd., 1913. 
.Kansas State Agricultural College. 



J. 33 Merchandising of Tractors, The Cha.s. Coolidge Parlin Curtis Publishing Co., 1916. 

J. 2G Motors and Motoring Prof. Henry John Spooner Dodd. Mead & Co., 1905. 

Q'. 2 Power and the Plow L W. Ellis & Edward A. Rumley . . Doubleda.v Page & Co., N. Y., 1911. 

J. 38 Proceedings of First Nafl. Coun- 



37 Report of Secretary of Agricul- 
ture D F Houston 1919 Washington Government Printing Of- 
fice. 1919. 

27 Self-propelled Vehicles James E. Homans, A. M Theodore Aridel & Co., N. Y., 1911. 

31 Tractor Farming and Tractor ^ 

Engineering James H. Stephenson Frederick J. Drake & Co., Chicago, 1913. 

7 Tractor Service Dent Parrett 1917. 



GENERAL REFERENCE WORKS 



1. Farm Engines and How to Run Them — James H. 
Stephenson, Frederick J. Drake and Company, Chi- 
cago, li10.3. 

2. Rural En,gineering -Buying Farm Tractors — W. H. 
Sanders; Kansas St.-ite Board of Agriculture, Twen- 
tieth Biennial Report, Topeka, T.I17. 

.•?. Farm Motor.s— Audrey A. I'otter: McGraw Hill Book 
Company hic., New York. 1!H3. Hill Ptddishing 
Compan.v, London, 1013. 

4. Farm Motors— Audrey A. Potter; McGraw Hill Book 
Company, Inc.. New Yiu-k. Ilil7. Hill Publishing 
Compan.v, Lomlon, 1!)I7. 

5. Farm Machinery and Farm Motors — J. B. Davidson ; 
Orange .ludd Company, New York. 1908. Kegan, Paul. 
French. Trubner and Company, London, 190S. 

(■). Gas Engine I'rinciple.s — Roger B. Whitman ; D. Ap- 
pleton and Company, New York and London, 1912. 



Gasoline Engine on the Farm — Xeno W. Putnam ; 
The Norman W. Henley Publishing Company, New 
York. 1913. 

The Modern Gas Tractor — V. W. Page : The Norman 
W. Henley Publkshing Company, New York. 1914. 
Talks on Farm Engineering — R. P. Clarkson ; Double- 
ilav. Page and Company, Garden Citv. New York. 
nil."'.. 

■file Tractor— Barton AV. Currie ; Curtis I'ublishing 
Comp.-iny. Philadelphia. I'.IKi. 

'I'be Northwestern Tractor Market— The Farmer, St. 
Paul. Miiuie.sota. P.Uil. 

Tr.iction — Encyclopedia Britannica Volume 27, pages 
lis 2(1. r 111 versify l^ress. .New York and Cambridge. 
England. 1911. 

Transmission, power — Encyclopedia Britannica Vol- 
ume 22. pages 224-38. I'niversity Press, New York 
and Cambridge, England, 1911. 



58 



ILLUSTRATION, TABLE AND CHART INDEX 



c'().\irAKiX(; THE iiousi-; and tka('T(ir. 

Charts 'J and l(t — Compariiiu tlic liorsc and tractor — 
p. Hi. 

Chart 11 — ('(imiiarisdu «i anmnnl of ground plowed h.v 
horse and tractor — p. 17. 

Chart li; — How deep tractor plowing makes for max- 
imum root penetration in tlie sul)-soil — p. IS. 

Chart 13— Percentage ot suiisliini — p. 10. 

Cliart 14 — Relative efficiency— p. 2(t. 

Chart 15 — Relative efficiency cin-ves: horse and trac- 
tor— p. 21. 

Illustration IS — Nine horses and lliree men doing the 
work of one tractor — p. "J4. 

Illustration 19 — This man is doing the work of at 
least two men and eight horses. . . . — p. L'.">. 

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS. 

Chart 2 — Natural home of the tractor in the great al- 
luvial basin between the Alleglianies and the Rock- 
ies — p. !). 

Chart 3 — Rainfall b.v months of various sections — 
p. 10. 

Chart 4 — The abilit.v of tractor to jijow deeply and 
sea.sonably. etc — p. 11. 

Chart 5 — Value of early plowing for winter wheat — 
p. 12. 

Table 6— How different methods of plowing affect 
winter wheat yields — p. 13. 

Chart 8 — Grain sorghum belt — p. l."i. 

Chart 13 — Percentage of suiishiiK — p. I'.i. 

Chart 27 — Increased production demands deep plow- 
ing — p. 33. 

Chart 2!) — Need of moisture conservation — p. 30. 

Chart 30 — Average hourly velocity of wind — p. 42. 

Illustration 31 — Tractors used in harvest fields can go 
on uo matter how- hot the weather gets — p. 43. 

PROGRESS AFFECTING TRACTORS. 

Illustration 1 — Hand-sowing of grain before farm ma- 
chinery revolutionized agriculture — Modern power- 
farming In the wheat belt. ( )ne operation plows, 
harrows and sows the crop — p. S. 

Chart 7 — Wheat yields under ilifferent treatment — 
jiractical only with tractor — p. 14. 

Illustration 24 — The day is gone when hired hands 
were so plentiful they were in each other's way — 
p. 30. 



llliistraticm l'."i The tractor will work at niglit when 

crops must lie .saved — p. 31. 
lllustralioii 2(i — From cradle to McCormick binders 

and then ti-actors— p. 32. 



territory present and pros- 



TRAt^TOR MARKET. 

Chart 20 -Tractor salt 

pective p. 2(i. 
Talile 21- -Potential market for tractors in the IG 

Capper States — p. 27. 
Chart 22 — The potential market for a half-million 

tractor.s— p. 28. 
Chart 23 — Where market conditions lavor immediate 

.sale of tractors. . . . - p. 211. 

rSES OF TRACTORS. 

Illustration If)— odd .jobs of belt work make the trac- 
tor an all-round machine — p. 22. 
Table 17 — Estimate of tractors in use — p. 23. 
Illustration IS — Nine horses and three men doing the 

work of one tractor — p. 24. 
Illustration 19 — This man is doing the work of at 

least two men and eight horses.... — p. 25. 
Illustration 25 — The tractor will work at night when 

crops nuist be saved — p. 31. 
Illustration 2.S — Intensive motor farming. Planting. 

plowing and harrowing at one operation — p. 35. 
Illustration 31 — Tractor used in harvest fields can go 

on no matter how hot the weather gets — p. 43. 
Illustration 32 — Tractor one of the most valuable ma- 

cliines on the farm in making .seedbeds for wheat — 

p. 44. 
Illustration 33 — Harvester-thresher operated by two 

nu'n — p. 45. 

ADDITKtNAL TABLES AS FOLLOWS: 

Value of all farm property — p. 49. 

A'alue of all crops — p. 49. 

Relative increase in value of all farm property — p. 49. 

Wheat, 191. S values— p. 50. 

Corn and grain scu'ghums, December 1. 1918. values — 

p. 50. 
Purelired Poland China hogs in the I'nited States 

191.8— p. .-)0. 
Potential Market for tractors — p. 51. 
Tractors in the I'ldted States — p. 51. 
Table on Crop .\creage b.v years — p. 52. 



SUBJECT INDEX OF "THE TRACTOR" 



ATTITUDE OF COUNTRY BANKERS. 

1. Attitude of country banJvers — p. 45. 

2. Northwestern experience — pp. 45-46. 

3. Oklahoma opinion — p. 45. 

4. Quality of opinion — p. 4(1. 

ADVERTISING. 

1. Advertising — p. 29. 

2. Concentrated media — p. 38. 

3. Conclusion — The Capper Farm Press and its sup- 
port of power farming — p. 48. 

4. Creating consumer demand — p. 38. 

5. How advertising helps — p. 38. 

6. The best media— p. 38. 

APPLICATION OF TRACTORS TO 
MODERN FARMING METHODS. 

1. A new farming — p. 31. 

2. Consumption — p. 31. 

3. Decrease in farm population — pp. 32-33. 



4. Farm labor — pp. 31-32. 

5. Flexibility — p. 22. 

0. Irrigation and the tractor — p. 30. 

7. Power farming — p. ^3. 

8. Production — pp. 30-31. 

9. The new farming again — p. 31. 

10. The new age — p. 34. 

11. The reason why — p. 11. 

12. Tractor savings — p. 21. 

CLIMATIC CONDITIONS. 

1. Climatic influences — 4ip. 10-11. 

2. Practical proof — pp. 11-12. 

3. The reason why — p. 11. 

4. The big problem — p. 12. 

COMPARISON OF HORSE AND TRACTOR. 

1. A i)lace for the horse— p. 23. 

2, Additional table of figures on relative cost, cost 
of operation, relative efficiency of horse and trac- 



S^, 



tor labor in all crop and farm operations — pp. 
17-18-19. 

3. Additional factors in comparing horse and trac- 
tor— p. 21. 

4. Another set of figures — p. 20. 

5. Cost of horse power, maintenance of versus cost 
of tractive power, cost of fiiel.s (gasoline and ker- 
osene — p. 17. 

G. Cost of food consumption for horse during entire 
year — p. 21. 

7. Comparison of relative cost of horse and tractor 
—p. 16. 

8. Current potential figures — p. 2(3. 

9. Exact figures — p. 24. 

10. Horse versus tractor — p. 1('>. 

11. Horse — incomplete power unit in wheat and corn 
belt— p. 10. 

12. Horse preponderance — p. 20. 

13. Horse l-lO—tractor 1-3— p. 17. 

14. Misunderstanding — p. 24. 

15. Overloading hor.se and overloading tractor — p. 25. 

16. Percentage of tractor substitution — pp. 20-27. 

17. Reserve power — pp. 24-25. 

18. Seasonal work — p. 20. 

19. The plowing load — p. 24. 

20. Tractor savings — p. 21. 

CORN. 

1. Corn— p. 14. 

CROPS GROWN. 

1. Corn— p. 14. 

2. Crops grown — p. 10. 

3. Grain sorghums — p. 14. 

4. New crops — p. 7. 

5. Winter wheat — pp. 12-13. 

DEEP PLOWING. 

1. Corn— p. 14. 

2. Grain sorghums — p. 14. 

3. Other results— p. 15. 

4. Plowing — p. 13. 

5. Winter wlieat — pp. 12-13. 

FUELS. 

1. Gasoline vs. kerosene — p. 43. 

2. Which fuel— p. 43. 

GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS. 

1. Another boundary — possibility of going farther 
west — pp. 9-10. 

2. Boundary of tractor belt — p. 0. 

3. Extra markets— pp. 29-30. 

4. Tractor farm.s — horse efficiency limited — p. 9. 

5. The Middle West — ideal tractor market — p. 0. 

GRAIN SORGHUMS. 
1. Grain sorghum.s- 



-p. 14. 



HISTORY. 

1. A new era begins — p. 7. 

2. A change for the better — p. 7. 

3. Adoption of gas engine — p. 7. 

4. New crops — p. 7. 

5. Not only true but interesting — p. 7. 

6. Parallel incrca.se of farm wealth aiul use of farm 
machinery — p. S. 

NUMBER OP TRACTORS. 

1. Current pfitential figures — p. 20. 

2. Estimating the number of tractors — p. 22. 

OBJECTIONS. 

1. Fann objections — p. 41. 

2. Difference of opinion — pp. 42.43. 

3. Service— p. 37. 

4. i-'pecific objections — p. 42. 

5. Standardization — preferred types — p. 42. 

6. Tractor repair service — pp. 39^1 inclusive. 

OPERATION AND MECHANISM OF TRACTOR. 

1. Another warning — p. 25. 

2. Attached implements^ — pp. 43.44. 

3. Average tractor life — p. 25. 

4. Difference of opinion — pp. 42-43. 



Education necessary — p. 34. 

Exact figures — p. 24. 

Gasoline vs. kerosene — p. 43. 

Inexpert operators — p. 37. 

Life of tractor— p. 23. 

Misunderstanding — p. 24. 

More data— ^ type of tractor — p. 23. 

Need of standardization — pp. 35-36. 

Overload warning from an exi)ert — p. 24. 

I'lowing load — p. 24. 

Reserve power — pp. 24-25. 

To resume — tractor life — p. 25. 

Tractors not perfect — p. 34. 

Tractor improvement — p. 34. 

Tractor trouble — p. 40. 

Tractor training — pp. 40-41. 

Service — p. 37. 

Which fuel— p. 43. 



PHYSICAL CONDITIONS. 

1. A new farming — p. 31. 

2. Climatic ((jnilitions— pp. 10-11. 

3. Consumption — p. 31. 

4. Corn— p. 14. 

5. Crops grown — p. 10. 

6. Extra market.s— pp. 20-30. 

7. Farm objections — p. 41. 

8. Grain surghunis — p. 14. 

9. Irrigation and the tractor— p. .30. 

10. Increased sales — p. 45. 

11. Limitations of the horse — p. 13. 

12. Northwestern experience — pp. 45-46. 

13. Other results — p. 15. 

14. Plowing — p. 13. 

15. Practical proof — pp. 11-12. 

16. The reason why — p. 11. 

17. The big problem — p. 12. 

IS. The reverse process — p. 35. 

19. The new farming again — p. 31. 

20. Work done in season — p. 20. 

21. Winter wheat— pp. 12-13. 

RELATION OF TRACTOR TO THE 
NEED OF INCREASED PRODUCTION. 



-p. (. 
-p. 7. 



1. A new era begins — p. 7. 

2. A change for the better- 

3. Adoption of gas engine- 

4. Consumption — p. 31. 

5. Increased sales — p. 45. 

6. New crop.s — p. 7. 

7. Other results — p. 14. 

8. Production— pp. .30-31. 

9. Power farming — p. .33. 

10. The age of machinery— 

11. The reason why — p. 11. 

12. The new age — p. 34. 



STANDARDIZATION. 

1. Effects of standardization— p. 37. 

2. Governing factors- p. 36. 

3. Need of standardization — pp. 3.5-36. 

4. Preferred types — p. 43. 

5. Selling methods — pp. 36-.37. 

6. Service — p. 37. 

7. State standardization — p. 38. 
S. Tests— p. 47. 

TRACTOR MARKET. 
1. Advertising — p 



19. 

A new farming — p. 31. 
Again the dealer — p. 44. 
Complete selling service — p. 44. 
Conclusion — Capper Farm Press and its support 
of power farming — p. 48. 
Consumption — p. 31. 

Current potential tractor figures — p. 26. 
Dealer — p. 44. 

Decrease in farm population — pp. 32-33. 
Effects of standardization — p. 37. 
Error in estimating the potentiality of tractor 
sales — p. 23. 

Extra markets — pp. 29-30. 
Farm labor— pp. 31-32. 
Governing factors — p. 36. 



15. Horse pi-epoiulerance — p. 26. 
10. How advertisiiiK hflp.s — p. 38. 

17. Irrigation am] the tractor — p. 30. 

18. Life of tractor— p. 23. 
li). More data— p. 23. 

20. Percentage of tractor substitution — pp. 2G-27. 

21. Power farming — p. 33. 

22. Present sales — p. 23. 

23. Production— pp. 30-31. 

24. Proved by experience — pp. 44.45. 

25. Otlier determinents of tractor market — pp. 28-2! 

26. Selling metliod.s— pp. 36-37. 

27. Service— p. 37. 

28. Some exceptions — p. 27. 

29. Still new markets — p. 30. 

30. Summary — p. 27. 

31. The Middle West — ideal tractor market — p. 9. 

32. Two estimates on number of potential sales- 
pp. 27-28. 

33. Tractor .shows— p. 20. 

34. The new farming again — p. 31. 

35. Tractor facts— pp. 34-35. 

36. The reverse process — p. 35. 



TRACTOR REPAIR SERVICE. 

1. A mistake in foundry — p. 40. 

2. Buffington's plan — p. 39. 

3. Concrete plan— the traveling repair ship — p. 39. 

4. Co-operation — p. 40. 

5. Change in designs — p. 40. 

6. Service — p. 37. 

7. Suggestions as to remedy — p. 39. 
S. Tractor trouble — p. 40. 

9. Tractor training — pp. 40-41. 
10. The manufacturer should make good — p. 40. 

TYPES OP TRACTOR. 

1. Change in designs — p. 40. 

2. Farm objections — p. 41. 

3. More data— p. 23. 

4. Preferred types — p. 42. 

5. Specific objections — p. 42. 

6. To resume — tractor life — p. 25. 

7. Tractors not perfect — p. 34. 

8. Tractor improvement — p. 34. 

WINTER WHEAT. 

1. Winter wheat — p. 12. 



You Can Reach the Farmer 

Only Thru the 

Agricultural Press 



81 



Developing 
M aximum 
Reader H. P. 



A GRICULTURE is diversified; soil and climatic 
^ ^ conditions are widely varied in different sec- 
tions. What is seasonable today in the North may 
be a month old down South. The farmer growing 
spring wheat is not interested in cotton. 

^ Recognizing these truths THE CAPPER FARM 
PRESS does not try to cover the entire United 
States, nor even the Midw^est, with a single farm 
paper. Instead it maintains five distinct editorial 
staffs, living in and knowing their respective terri- 
tories from the ground up — and down. Each sec- 
tion is able to give a close-up service and present 
timely advice to its subscribers at all times. 



The Drawbar Pull 
of Editorial Service 

qpHE CAPPER FARM PRESS is read by more 
J- than a million worth-while farm families of the 
great Central West— the winter wheat belt, alfalfa 
belt, corn belt, dairy belt, hog belt and tractor belt— 
the country's "ready-money" belt. It enables adver- 
tisers to present their sales message to our million 
farm families with all the force that goes with such 
enormous circulation, plus the added power from the 
localized reader interest maintained by the more 
intimate relations of our editors with their subscri- 
bers under the sectional plan of editing. 
The different sections are: 

CAPPER'S FARMER— Mid-West Trade Territory 

NEBRASKA FARM JOURNAL-Omaha Trade Territory 

KANSAS FARMER and MAIL and BREEZE -Kansas City Trade Territory 

OKLAHOMA FARMER— Oklahoma City and Wichita Trade Territory 

MISSOURI RURALIST— St. Louis Trade Territory 

CAPPER FARM PRESS 

TOPEKA, KANSAS 

ARTHUR CAPPER, Publisher MARCO MORROW, Ass't Publisher 

Chicago New York Detroit Kansas City St. Louis Omaha Oklahoma City 



< Uf'l>rJiit**il from doiihle-pu);;*' spread t 
IMI'LKMKAT A TRACTOR TRAIJK JOURNAL. 



Already Half Sold 



These forty-nine manufacturers have advertised their Tractors 

to over one million farmers thru the different sections 

of The Capper Farm Press. Goods advertised 

in such a medium are already half 

sold before the customer 

looks for a dealer 



Advance-KnnM'l.v Co. 

Allis-Clialiiiers Co. 

Anieriran Tractor Corporation 

Appletoii Alfg. Co. 

Aultnian & Taylor Machinery Co. 

Avery Co. 

Bates Machinerj' & Tractor Co. 

J. I. Case Plow Works 

J. I. Case T. HI. Co. 

Cleveland Tractor Co. 

The Coleman Tractor Corporation 

Dart Truck & Motor Corporation 

The Daufh IMfg. Co. 

Dayton-Dowil Co. 

Deere & Co. 

Electric WTieel Co. 



Bnierson-Brantingham Co. 

Fordson Tractor Co. 

The General Ordnance Co. 

Gray Tractor Co. 

Hart-PaiT Co. 

Holt iMfg. Co. 

The lluber iMfg. Co. 

Illinois Tractor Co. 

Indiana Silo and Tractor Co. 

International Harvester Co. 

The Iron Horse Tractor Co. 

.loliet Oil Tractor Co. 

J. T. Tractor Co. 

Kinnard & Sons Mfg. Co. 

LaCrosse Tra«tor Co. 

Minneapolis Steel & Ma«hinery Co. 



.^loline Plow Co. 

.Monarch Tractor Co. 

Xelson Tractor Co. 

Nichols & Sheppard Co. 

Nilson Tractor Co. 

Pioneer Tractor Co. 

Rock Island Plow Co. 

Russell & Co. 

Samson Tractor Co. 

Sunflower Tnu'k & Tractor Co. 

Toro .Hlotor Co. 

To«iiseiid Mfg. Co. 

Triunti)h Truck & Tractor Co. 

Wallis Tractor Co. 

O. J. Watson Co. 

Western Electric Co. 

The Wisconsin Farm Tractor Co. 



CAPPIR FARM PRESS 



ARTHUR CAPPER 



MARCO MORROW 



Publisher 



Assistant Publisher 



TOPEKA, KANSAS 



CHICAGO NEW YORK DETROIT KANSAS CITY ST. LOUIS OMAHA OKLAHO.MA CITY 



REPRESENTATIVES OF 


TheCapF 


>er 


Farm Press 


ARTHUR CAPPER 


MARCO MORROW 


Publisher 




Assistant Publisher 


Advertising 


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